PILGRIMS PRIDECORPORATION, as Issuer THE GUARANTOR NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Trustee 7.875% SENIORNOTES DUE 2018 INDENTURE DATED AS OF December 14, 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS

EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm INDENTURE DATED DECEMBER 14, 2010 Indenture dated December 14, 2010

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION,

as Issuer

THE GUARANTOR NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

as Trustee

 

 

7.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF

December 14, 2010

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1   

Section 1.01

     Definitions      1   

Section 1.02

     Other Definitions      28   

Section 1.03

     Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      29   

Section 1.04

     Rules of Construction      29   

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

     30   

Section 2.01

     Form and Dating      30   

Section 2.02

     Execution and Authentication      31   

Section 2.03

     Registrar and Paying Agent      32   

Section 2.04

     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      32   

Section 2.05

     Holder Lists      32   

Section 2.06

     Transfer and Exchange      33   

Section 2.07

     Replacement Notes      46   

Section 2.08

     Outstanding Notes      47   

Section 2.09

     Treasury Notes      47   

Section 2.10

     Temporary Notes      47   

Section 2.11

     Cancellation      48   

Section 2.12

     CUSIP or ISIN Numbers      48   

Section 2.13

     Additional Notes      48   

Section 2.14

     Defaulted Interest      48   

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

     49   

Section 3.01

     Notices to Trustee      49   

Section 3.02

     Selection of Notes to be Redeemed      49   

Section 3.03

     Notice of Redemption      50   

Section 3.04

     Effect of Notice Upon Redemption      51   

Section 3.05

     Deposit of Redemption Price      51   

Section 3.06

     Notes Redeemed in Part      51   

Section 3.07

     Optional Redemption      51   

Section 3.08

     Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds      52   

Section 3.09

     Mandatory Redemption      54   

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

     54   

Section 4.01

     Payment of Notes      54   

Section 4.02

     Maintenance of Office or Agency      55   

Section 4.03

     Reports      55   

Section 4.04

     Compliance Certificate      57   

Section 4.05

     Taxes      58   


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

            Page  

Section 4.06

     Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      58   

Section 4.07

     Corporate Existence      58   

Section 4.08

     Payments for Consent.      58   

Section 4.09

     Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock      58   

Section 4.10

     Liens      62   

Section 4.11

     Restricted Payments      62   

Section 4.12

     Asset Sales      65   

Section 4.13

     Dividend And Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries      68   

Section 4.14

     Affiliate Transactions      70   

Section 4.15

     Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries      71   

Section 4.16

     Offer To Repurchase Upon Change Of Control      72   

Section 4.17

     Issuance of Guarantees by Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries      74   

Section 4.18

     Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade      74   

Section 4.19

     Further Instruments and Acts      75   

ARTICLE 5 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

     75   

Section 5.01

     Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets      75   

Section 5.02

     Successor Corporation Substituted      76   

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     76   

Section 6.01

     Events of Default      76   

Section 6.02

     Acceleration      78   

Section 6.03

     Other Remedies      79   

Section 6.04

     Waiver of Past Defaults      79   

Section 6.05

     Control by Majority      79   

Section 6.06

     Limitation on Suits      80   

Section 6.07

     Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment      80   

Section 6.08

     Collection Suit by Trustee      80   

Section 6.09

     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      80   

Section 6.10

     Priorities      81   

Section 6.11

     Undertaking for Costs      81   

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

     82   

Section 7.01

     Duties of Trustee.      82   

Section 7.02

     Rights of Trustee.      83   

Section 7.03

     Individual Rights of Trustee.      84   

Section 7.04

     Trustee’s Disclaimer.      84   

Section 7.05

     Notice of Defaults.      84   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

            Page  

Section 7.06

     Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.      85   

Section 7.07

     Compensation and Indemnity.      85   

Section 7.08

     Replacement of Trustee.      86   

Section 7.09

     Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      87   

Section 7.10

     Eligibility; Disqualification.      87   

Section 7.11

     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.      87   

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     87   

Section 8.01

     Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      87   

Section 8.02

     Legal Defeasance and Discharge      88   

Section 8.03

     Covenant Defeasance      88   

Section 8.04

     Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      89   

Section 8.05

     Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held In Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      90   

Section 8.06

     Repayment to Company      90   

Section 8.07

     Reinstatement      91   

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     91   

Section 9.01

     Without the Consent of Holders      91   

Section 9.02

     With Consent of Holders of Notes      92   

Section 9.03

     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      94   

Section 9.04

     Revocation and Effect of Consents      94   

Section 9.05

     Notation on or Exchange of Notes      94   

Section 9.06

     Trustee to Sign Amendments      94   

ARTICLE 10 SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

     95   

Section 10.01

     Subsidiary Guarantee      95   

Section 10.02

     Limitation on Guarantor Liability      96   

Section 10.03

     Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.      97   

Section 10.04

     Guarantors May Merge, Consolidate, Etc., On Certain Terms      97   

Section 10.05

     Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees      98   

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     99   

Section 11.01

     Satisfaction and Discharge      99   

Section 11.02

     Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held In Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      99   

Section 11.03

     Repayment to Company      100   

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

     100   

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

            Page  

Section 12.01

     Trust Indenture Act Controls      100   

Section 12.02

     Notices      100   

Section 12.03

     Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes      102   

Section 12.04

     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.      102   

Section 12.05

     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      102   

Section 12.06

     No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      102   

Section 12.07

     Rules by Trustee and Agents      103   

Section 12.08

     Governing Law      103   

Section 12.09

     Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.      103   

Section 12.10

     Waiver of Jury Trial.      104   

Section 12.11

     Force Majeure.      104   

Section 12.12

     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      104   

Section 12.13

     Successors      104   

Section 12.14

     Severability      104   

Section 12.15

     Counterpart Originals      104   

Section 12.16

     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      105   

 

EXHIBIT A

  FORM OF NOTE

EXHIBIT B

  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

EXHIBIT C

  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

EXHIBIT D

  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

EXHIBIT E

  FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

EXHIBIT F

  FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

iv


This INDENTURE, dated as of December 14, 2010 (this “Indenture”), is by and among Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Delaware corporation (such corporation and any successor, the “Company”), the Guarantor named on the signature pages hereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (such institution and any successor, the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

WHEREAS, this Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

WHEREAS, the Company and the Guarantor are entering into this Indenture to establish the form and terms of its 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantor have been done or performed.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

The following are definitions used in this Indenture:

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into, or became a Subsidiary of, such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

 

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(ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Additional Notes” means any Notes (other than Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 2.13 of this Indenture, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes or as an additional series.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings.

Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or any other agent appointed pursuant to this Indenture.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.

Applied Proceeds Amount” means (i) when used with respect to term Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the Issue Date to repay term Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof and (ii) when used with respect to revolving credit Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the Issue Date to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof.

Asset Sale” means:

(a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business; provided, that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.16 hereof and/or the provisions of Article 5 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof; and

(b) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

(i) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a fair market value of less than $5.0 million;

(ii) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(iv) the sale, lease or transfer, as applicable, of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable (or interests therein) or other assets in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a Permitted Securitization Program;

(v) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents and Investment Securities;

(vi) the sale, lease or other disposition of any assets or rights to the extent constituting a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

(vii) any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, obsolete or no longer useful assets or properties in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) the sale or discounting of accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) any sale of assets received (x) in compromise of (1) obligations of trade creditors or customers owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or (2) litigation, arbitration or other disputes; or (y) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(x) the sale or lease of inventory, products or services or the lease, assignment or sub-lease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(xii) the granting of Liens not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture; and

(xiii) the surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims.

Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period

 

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for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means (i) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors of the corporation, (ii) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or, in the case of a general partner other than a corporation, the Person or the board or committee of such person serving a similar function; and (iii) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Stock” means:

(i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but in any event excluding interests in pools of accounts receivable or inventory sold by a Securitization Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Securitization Program.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(i) United States dollars;

 

4


(ii) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government 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 six months from the date of acquisition;

(iii) certificates of deposit and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(iv) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this definition entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) of this definition;

(v) commercial paper having the highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and in each case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and

(vi) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (i) through (v) of this definition.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(i) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Permitted Holder;

(ii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a fully-diluted basis;

(iii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(iv) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or recapitalization) to which the Company is a party, other than a merger or consolidation of the Company with a Permitted Holder, the result of which is that, immediately after such transaction, the holders of all of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50.1% of the Voting Stock of the Person surviving such transaction, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

(v) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.

 

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Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A. or its successors.

Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(ii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(iii) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(iv) any lease termination costs, severance costs, facility shutdown costs and other restructuring charges related to or associated with a permanent reduction in capacity, closure of plants or facilities, cut-backs or plant closures or a significant reconfiguration of a facility; plus

(v) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, unless such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor and its Subsidiary Guarantee remains in full force and effect, shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company only to the extent that a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended or distributed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

 

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Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, that:

(i) any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions); or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded;

(ii) any extraordinary gain (or loss) or non-recurring gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss) or non-recurring gain (or loss), and any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring fees, expenses or charges, shall be excluded;

(iii) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

(iv) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary, unless such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor and its Subsidiary Guarantee remains in full force and effect, shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided, that the aggregate amount of such Net Income that could be paid to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by loans or advances or repayments of loans or advances, intercompany transfer or otherwise will be included in Consolidated Net Income;

(v) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

(vi) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of hedge or non-hedge derivatives (including those resulting from the application of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133) shall be excluded;

(vii) any non-cash impairment charges resulting from the application of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 and No. 144 and the amortization of intangibles pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 shall be excluded; and

(viii) any non-cash charges associated with any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income shall be excluded.

 

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continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

(i) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or

(ii) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board at the time of such nomination or election.

Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Existing Credit Facilities) or commercial paper facilities or Debt Issuances, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders or institutional investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables or inventory financing (including through the sale of receivables or inventory to such lenders or investors or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables or inventory), letters of credit or Debt Issuances, in each case, as amended, extended, renewed, restated, refinanced (including refinancing with Debt Issuances), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amounts, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

Custodian” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as Custodian with respect to the Notes, any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Debt Issuances” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more issuances of Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments after the Issue Date.

Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or with the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the Maturity Date. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.11 hereof.

Domestic Borrowing Base” means, as of a date of determination, the sum of (i) 85% of the book value of the outstanding accounts receivable of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (as such accounts receivable would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP), less allowance for doubtful accounts, plus (ii) 80% of the inventory of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries (as such inventory would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP); provided, that for purposes of determining the Domestic Borrowing Base as of a date of determination, any accounts receivable or inventory that has been sold or otherwise transferred to a Securitization Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Securitization Program shall not be included in the Domestic Borrowing Base for purposes of the calculation thereof.

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Douglas Facility” means the Company’s processing facility located in Douglas, Georgia.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Equity Offering” means any public sale of the Company’s Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) by the Company, but excluding in any event any issuance or sale (1) to any Affiliate of the Company or (2) pursuant to employee benefit plans or otherwise in connection with the compensation of officers, directors or employees).

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or its successors.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

 

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Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Excluded Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (i) Indebtedness (including Guarantees of Indebtedness of another Person) in an aggregate principal amount (including the principal amount of any Indebtedness of another Person with respect to which such Restricted Subsidiary has given a Guarantee) less than or equal to $5.0 million, (ii) intercompany Indebtedness between or among such Restricted Subsidiary and the Company or any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company, any Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary of the Indebtedness of any of the Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries whose Equity Interests it holds.

Existing Credit Facilities” means, collectively, the Existing U.S. Credit Facilities and the Existing Foreign Credit Facility.

Existing Foreign Credit Facility” means the facility evidenced by the Credit Agreement, by and among Avicola Pilgrim’s Pride de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., the Company, certain subsidiaries of Avicola Pilgrim’s Pride de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., ING Capital LLC, ING Bank (Mexico), S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, ING Grupo Financiero, BBVA Bancomer, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer, Bank of America N.A., Comerica Bank and the several lenders from time to time party thereto, dated as of September 25, 2006, and the related notes, collateral documents, guarantees and agreements, each as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, renewed, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Existing Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Facilities) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

Existing U.S. Credit Facilities” means the facility evidenced by the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2009, among the Company, To-Ricos, Ltd., a Bermuda company, and To-Ricos Distribution, Ltd., a Bermuda company, as Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, CoBank, ACB, as Administrative Agent, CoBank, ACB and Coöperative Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank International”, New York Branch, and Bank of Montreal, as Joint Syndication Agents, CoBank, ACB, Coöperative Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank International”, New York Branch, Bank of Montreal, Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and ING Capital LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, Barclays Bank PLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and ING Capital LLC, as Joint Documentation Agents, and CoBank, ACB, as Collateral Agent, as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, renewed, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(i) any acquisition or disposition of companies, divisions, lines of businesses, operations or any other material acquisitions or dispositions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, and any reclassification as discontinued operations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case occurring during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, shall be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period;

(ii) consolidated interest expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness (whether existing or being incurred) computed on a pro forma basis and bearing a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months or, if shorter, at least equal to the remaining term of such Indebtedness) had been the applicable rate for the entire period;

(iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(iv) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during the applicable reference period; and

(v) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during the applicable reference period;

 

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provided, that to the extent clause (i) of this definition requires that any transaction referred to therein be given pro forma effect, such pro forma calculation shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company and may include, without duplication, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such transaction that have been realized or are expected, in the reasonable judgment of such financial or accounting officer, to be realized within twelve months of the effective date of such transaction, whether or not such cost savings, synergies or operating expense reductions would be allowed under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission or any other regulation or policy of the Commission.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus

(ii) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(iii) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued, whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

Foreign Borrowing Base” means, as of a date of determination, the sum of (i) 85% of the book value of the outstanding accounts receivable of the Company’s Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries (as such accounts receivable would be shown on a combined balance sheet of the Company’s Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP), less allowance for doubtful accounts, plus (ii) 80% of the inventory of the Company’s Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries (as such inventory would be shown on a combined balance sheet of the Company’s Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP); provided, that for purposes of determining the Foreign Borrowing Base as of a date of determination, any accounts receivable or inventory that has been sold or otherwise transferred to a Securitization Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Securitization Program shall not be included in the Foreign Borrowing Base for purposes of the calculation thereof.

 

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Foreign Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary and with respect to which more than 80% of its assets (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) are located in territories and jurisdictions outside of the United States of America.

Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company” means any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary with no material operations or assets other than Equity Interests of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means the global Notes in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in the name of the Depositary.

Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

Guarantors” means any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that executes this Indenture or a supplemental indenture hereto and a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates;

(ii) any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency values; and

(iii) any commodity futures or option contract or other similar commodity hedging contract designed to protect such person against fluctuations in commodity prices.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

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IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of:

(i) borrowed money;

(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(iii) banker’s acceptances;

(iv) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(v) the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable incurred in the ordinary course of business; or

(vi) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:

(i) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and

(ii) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons of nationally recognized standing that is, in the judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” means $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

 

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Initial Purchasers” means collectively Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Jefferies & Company, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Rabo Securities USA, Inc. and ING Financial Markets LLC.

Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

Intercompany Bonds” means an Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in, and Indebtedness of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection with, bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments issued by any federal, state or local government of the United States or any state, territory, municipality, regulatory or administrative authority or instrumentality or agency thereof in which such bonds, notes, debentures or instruments are fully secured as to payment of both principal and interest by a requisition, loan, lease or similar payment agreement with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Interest Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the Note.

Investment Grade Status” exists as of a date if at such date (i) the debt rating of Moody’s is at least Baa3 (or the equivalent) or higher and (ii) the debt rating of S&P is at least BBB- (or the equivalent) or higher, or if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

Investment Securities” means:

(i) securities or obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents) and, in each case, with maturities not exceeding ten years from the date of acquisition;

(ii) Investments in any fund that invests exclusively in Investments of the type described in clause (i), which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution;

(iii) repurchase agreements fully collateralized by U.S. government and/or agency securities with a maximum maturity of seven days;

(iv) Investments in (a) direct obligations and securities issued by any state of the U.S. or any political subdivision of any such state or public instrumentality thereof, (b) debt securities of a corporation, including corporate notes, medium term notes and Rule 144A private placement notes, (c) asset-backed securities, (d) mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities, (e) collateralized mortgage obligations, (f) obligations of sovereign and supranational entities and other municipal debt obligations, (g) remarketed or auction rate preferred shares of closed end mutual funds, (h) money market mutual funds with a minimum $1.0 billion average asset size for the previous 12 months, (i) common stock listed on a U.S. national stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and (j) debt obligations of non-U.S. governments, sovereign entities or supranational agencies, so long as, in each case, at the time of

 

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purchase or acquisition of any such Investment, (A) other than Investments described in sub-clauses (h) and (i) of this clause (iv), the Investment had a long-term senior unsecured debt rating of not less than Baa3 by Moody’s and not less than BBB- by S&P and an effective maturity not exceeding ten years from the date of acquisition and (B) with respect to Investments described in sub-clause (i) of this clause (iv), the aggregate amount of such Investments held by the Company at the time of acquisition of any such Investment does not exceed 10% of the total amount of Investment Securities then held by the Company; and

(v) Investments in commercial paper rated P1 by Moody’s or A1 by S&P, which matures within one year of issuance thereof, or in any fund that invests exclusively in such commercial paper.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of direct or indirect loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.11(d) hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person shall be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.11(d) hereof. In addition, the fair market value of the net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an “Investment” made by the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Issue Date” means December 14, 2010.

JBS Holdings” means JBS USA Holdings, Inc.

JBS Subordinated Indebtedness” means unsecured Subordinated Indebtedness owed to JBS Holdings or any of its Affiliates; provided, however that (a) no principal or interest payment (other than interest paid in kind with additional JBS Subordinated Indebtedness) or prepayment prior to June 28, 2015 is required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, (b) the Stated Maturity of such Indebtedness shall not be earlier than June 28, 2015 and (c) such Indebtedness shall otherwise be incurred in accordance with the Existing U.S. Credit Facilities.

 

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Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing.

Maturity Date” means December 15, 2018.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, including any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale, and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation, pension and post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness:

(i) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise or (c) constitutes the lender; and

(ii) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

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Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Principal Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary of the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer and delivered to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or the Company, as applicable, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of:

(i) a Subsidiary (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) a Person that was merged or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided, that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged and amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (a) the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

Permitted Holder” means JBS S.A., JBS Holdings and their respective Subsidiaries and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are a member; provided, that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, the foregoing collectively have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company. Any person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.16 hereof (or would result in a Change of Control Offer in the absence of the waiver of such requirement by the Holders in accordance with Section 4.16 hereof) will thereafter, together with its Subsidiaries, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

 

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Permitted Investments” means:

(i) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(ii) any Investment of receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, that nothing in this clause (ii) shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from offering such concessionary trade terms as management deems reasonable in the circumstances;

(iii) any Investment in cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Securities;

(iv) any Investment of Capital Stock, Obligations or other securities of any Person received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in settlement of Obligations created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(v) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(vi) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration in the sale of assets or property that does not constitute an Asset Sale or from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof;

(vii) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(viii) Hedging Obligations; provided, that such Hedging Obligations constitute Permitted Debt permitted by Section 4.09(b)(5) hereof;

(ix) Investments in Intercompany Bonds;

(x) Investments made in bonds, debentures and notes issued by any corporation organized under the laws of any State of the United States having Investment Grade Status from the aggregate proceeds of insurance premiums paid by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under a captive insurance arrangement and any earnings on such Investments;

 

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(xi) repurchases of the Notes;

(xii) loans or advances to officers, directors, consultants and employees made in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(xiii) any Investments received (x) in compromise of (1) obligations of any Person that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any such Person; or (2) litigation, arbitration or other disputes; or (y) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(xiv) Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.09 and Section 4.17 hereof;

(xv) any Investment (x) existing on the Issue Date or (y) made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date and (z) that replaces, refinances or refunds any Investment described under either of the immediately preceding sub-clauses (x) or (y); provided, that the new Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced or refunded, and not materially less favorable to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries than the Investment replaced, refinanced or refunded as determined in good faith by the Company;

(xvi) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) loans and advances to contract growers in an aggregate amount outstanding as of the date of making any such loan or advance not to exceed the greater of (a) $50.0 million or (b) 1.75% of the Company’s Total Assets; and

(xviii) other Investments made after the Issue Date in any Person having an aggregate fair market value as of the date any such Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (xviii) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $75.0 million or (b) 2.5% of the Company’s Total Assets.

Permitted Liens” means:

(i) Liens on assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness and other Obligations that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1) or (19) hereof;

 

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(ii) Liens on assets of the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

(a) the new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged with such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(iii) Liens in favor of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iv) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by, merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person acquired by, merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(v) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;

(vi) Liens to secure the performance of statutory or regulatory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds, indemnity or performance bonds, warranty and contractual requirements or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including any such Liens to secure related letters of credit or reimbursement obligations in respect thereof);

(vii) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(viii) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided, that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

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(ix) Liens on accounts receivable or inventory of a Securitization Subsidiary or rights with respect thereto in connection with a Permitted Securitization Program;

(x) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens securing Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations designed solely to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities and not for speculative purposes;

(xi)(a) Liens on the property of any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary and (b) any stock pledge, hypothecation, or similar security interest limited to the Equity Interests of a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary held by a Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company, or the Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company, in each case securing the Guarantee by such Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company of Indebtedness of the Foreign Restricted Subsidiary whose Equity Interests it holds; provided, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), that such Indebtedness of a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary is incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

(xii) Liens to secure a defeasance trust;

(xiii) licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) easements, rights of way zoning and similar restrictions, reservations (including severances, leases or reservations of oil, gas, coal, minerals or water rights), restriction or encumbrances in respect of real property or title defects that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties (as such properties are used by the Company or its Subsidiaries) or materially impair their use in the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business;

(xv) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) Leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(xvii) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(xviii) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such legal proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

(xix) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, lessor’s, suppliers, banks, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, and Liens of landlords securing obligations to pay lease payments that are not yet due and payable or in default, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xx) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of workers’ compensation or to participate in any fund in connection with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social security programs (including any such Liens to secure related letters of credit or reimbursement obligations in respect thereof);

(xxi) Liens existing on the Issue Date; and

(xxii) Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Obligations that do not exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided, that:

(i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest thereon and the amount of all customary expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith); provided, however, that with respect to Indebtedness denominated in currency other than United States dollars, if the principal amount of such Indebtedness is extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded with Indebtedness denominated in the same foreign currency and not exceeding the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof in such denomination of foreign currency, then it shall not be deemed to have exceeded the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the refinanced Indebtedness solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of such foreign currency;

(ii) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;

(iii) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is Subordinated Indebtedness, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the Maturity Date and is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

(iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or a Guarantor or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.

 

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Permitted Securitization Program” means a transaction or series of transactions (including amendments, supplements, extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or modifications thereof) pursuant to which a Securitization Subsidiary purchases accounts receivable or inventory from the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and finances or sells such accounts receivable or inventory or fractional interests therein; provided, that (i) the Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith that such Permitted Securitization Program is economically fair and reasonable to the Company and the Securitization Subsidiary, (ii) all sales of accounts receivable or inventory by the Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), (iii) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), (iv) no portion of the Indebtedness of a Securitization Subsidiary shall be Guaranteed Indebtedness or is recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to such Securitization Subsidiary and other than recourse for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities) and (v) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (other than the Securitization Subsidiary) has any obligation to maintain or preserve the Securitization Subsidiary’s financial condition.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.

Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s preferred or preference stock, whether now outstanding or hereafter issued, including, without limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined by Rule 144.

Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution of the Company) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2010, among the Company, the Guarantor and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

 

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Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the date specified on the face of the Note.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

Responsible Officer when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw Hill, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Securitization Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company that is established for the limited purpose of acquiring and financing or selling (including, without limitation, interests therein) accounts receivable or inventory and engaging in activities ancillary thereto.

 

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Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.

Special Interest” has the meaning assigned to that term pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary if the instrument creating or evidencing such Indebtedness or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness is subordinated or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Subsidiary Guarantee” means a Guarantor’s guarantee of the Notes pursuant to Article 10 and in the form of the Subsidiary Guarantee attached as Exhibit E and any additional Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes to be executed by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 4.17.

TIA” or “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Total Assets” means, with respect to any Person, the total consolidated assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person in financial statements either (i) filed with the Commission or (ii) if such Person does not file reports with the Commission, internally available.

 

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Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(i) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness;

(ii) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(iii) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(iv) has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct noncallable obligations of, or noncallable obligations the payment of principal of and interest on which is guaranteed by, the United States of America, or to the payment of which obligations or guarantees the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged, or beneficial interests in a trust the corpus of which consists exclusively of money or such obligations or a combination thereof.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

 

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(ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any specified Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to other Persons to comply with local law that collectively do not constitute more than 5% of all of the Capital Stock ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors of such Restricted Subsidiary) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

     Defined in Section   

Affiliate Transaction

     4.14   

Asset Sale Offer

     3.08   

Authentication Order

     2.02   

Benefited Party

     10.01   

Change of Control Offer

     4.16   

Change of Control Payment

     4.16   

Change of Control Payment Date

     4.16   

Commission

     Preamble   

Company

     Preamble   

Covenant Defeasance

     8.03   

Covenant Suspension Period

     4.18   

DTC

     2.03   

Event of Default

     6.01   

Excess Proceeds

     4.12   

Guarantor Indebtedness

     4.17   

incur

     4.09   

Indenture

     Preamble   

Legal Defeasance

     8.02   

Notes

     Preamble   

Offer Amount

     3.08   

Offer Period

     3.08   

Paying Agent

     2.03   

Payment Default

     6.01   

Permitted Debt

     4.09   

Purchase Date

     3.08   

Registrar

     2.03   

Related Proceeding

     12.09   

Reporting Suspension Period

     4.03   

Restricted Payment

     4.11   

Reversion Date

     4.18   

Trustee

     Preamble   

 

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Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.01(b) shall only apply to Global Notes deposited with the Custodian for the Depositary. Participants and Indirect Participants shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Custodian for the Depositary or under such Global Note, and the Depositary shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, each Agent and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants or Indirect Participants, the Applicable Procedures or the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note. None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note, a member of, or a Participant or Indirect Participant in, the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of Depositary or its nominee or of any Participant or Indirect Participant thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any Participant, Indirect Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners, Participants and Indirect Participants in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee and each Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, Participants, Indirect Participants and any beneficial owners.

 

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(c) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Definitive Notes will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(d) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

For absence of doubt, the provisions of Sections 2.01(c) and (d) are subject to the requirements relating to notations, legends or endorsements on Notes required by law, stock exchange rule, or agreements to which the Company is subject, if any.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

(a) One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

(b) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

(c) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

(d) The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue.

(e) The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(b) The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

(c) The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent, which also acts as Custodian for DTC with respect to the Global Notes, and the Trustee hereby initially agrees so to act.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Trustee may allow, as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

 

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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subclause (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subclauses, as applicable:

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial

 

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interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above;

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of written notice from the Company that the Company (or any exchange agent appointed by the Company) has received the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act (as notified by the Company to the Trustee), the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted

 

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Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and, to the extent requested by the Company in its sole discretion, the Opinion of Counsel, required by item (3)(d) thereof.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

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(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subclause (D), if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subclause (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subclauses (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subclauses (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and, to the extent requested by the Company in its sole discretion, the Opinion of Counsel, required by item (3)(d) thereof;

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

 

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(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subclause (D), if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subclauses (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and, to the extent requested by the Company in its sole discretion, the Opinion of Counsel, required by item (3)(d) thereof;

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

 

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(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subclause (D), if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subclauses in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

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(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subclauses (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and, to the extent requested by the Company in its sole discretion, the Opinion of Counsel, required by item (3)(d) thereof.

 

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(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subclauses (D), if the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and

(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of the Restricted Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subclause (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH NOTE MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE

 

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SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subclauses (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED

 

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REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof.

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.08, 4.12, 4.16 and 9.05 hereof).

(3) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(4) Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

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(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Regular Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(5) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(6) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(7) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(8) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any tax or securities laws with respect to any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants, Indirect Participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Company, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

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The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced note is held by a protected purchaser.

(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date and Special Interest, if any, with respect to the Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company from time to time upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 CUSIP or ISIN Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

Section 2.13 Additional Notes.

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited aggregate principal amount which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price and first payment of interest. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a Board Resolution and an Officer’s Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture; and

(b) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number(s) of such Additional Notes; provided, however, that no Additional Notes may be issued at a price that would cause such Additional Notes to have “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Section 2.14 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest,

 

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to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof and paragraph 5 of the Notes, it shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, and (iv) the redemption price. The Company shall furnish such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee at least two Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or delivered by electronic transmission to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof but not more than 60 days before a redemption date unless a shorter notice period shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Each Officer’s Certificate shall be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. Any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be rescinded at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed or delivered by electronic transmission to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed, (i) if the Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed, or (ii) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate or as may be in accordance with DTC’s customary selection procedures. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail by first-class mail or deliver by electronic transmission, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise in accordance with Section 12.02.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) and shall state:

(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(g) the paragraph of the Notes and Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided that, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least two Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed or delivered to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice period shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, which shall be set forth in any notice of redemption.

 

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Section 3.04 Effect of Notice Upon Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof and all conditions precedent (if any) set forth in such notice have been satisfied or waived, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the related Interest Payment Date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

One Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.07(b), the Company shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to December 15, 2014. On or after December 15, 2014, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, thereon, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2014

     103.9375

2015

     101.9688

2016 and thereafter

     100.0000

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.07(a), at any time prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (which includes all Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price of 107.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided, that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture (which includes the Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and

(2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of any such Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering.

(c) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes and, at the Company’s option, holders of other pari passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer for the Notes shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

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Upon the commencement of the Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail or deliver by electronic transmission, a notice to each of the Holders, which shall not be later than 10 days after the Company becomes obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer for the Notes with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.08 and Section 4.12 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(2) the Offer Amount (including information as to any other pari passu Indebtedness included in the Asset Sale Offer), the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrete or accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have all or a part of such Note purchased, provided that any portion of a Note purchased must be in the amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(6) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered by Holders into an Asset Sale Offer exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased (1) if the Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are then listed or (2) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and

 

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(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate as to the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.12. On such date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, in accordance with clause (8) above, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.08. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.08, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.09 Mandatory Redemption.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company

 

54


in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Company shall pay all Special Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate equal to 2% higher then the otherwise applicable interest rate on the Notes and shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at such higher rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Company hereby designates the corporate trust office of the Trustee, as one such office, drop facility or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders (or the Company will file with the Commission for public availability), within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:

(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual reports only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

 

55


(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

(b) All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. In addition, the Company will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (a)(1) and (a)(2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods. The Company will at all times comply with TIA §314(a).

(c) If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing. The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in Section 4.02(a) on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the Commission.

(d) The Company will also hold a quarterly conference call to discuss the reports referred to in Section 4.03(a)(1) and the results of operations for the relevant reporting period. Prior to the conference call, the Company will issue a press release to the appropriate wire services announcing the time and date of such conference call, which press release will either include all information necessary to access the call or direct Holders and beneficial owners of Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors to a publicly available website where all information necessary to access the call may be obtained. If the Company is holding a conference call open to the public to discuss the most recent quarter’s financial performance, the Company will not be required to hold a second, separate call just for the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes.

(e) The Company’s obligations pursuant to Sections 4.03(a)-(d) shall be suspended as of any date, and for so long as, all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the Company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act;

(2) the Voting Stock of the Company is 100% owned by JBS Holdings;

(3) JBS Holdings fully and unconditionally guarantees the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; and

(4) JBS Holdings makes the reports and financial information referred to in Section 4.03(a) available on its website or otherwise publicly available within the time periods specified in Section 4.03(a) above, except that such reports and financial

 

56


information may be with respect to JBS Holdings instead of the Company; provided, that the quarterly and annual financial statements of JBS Holdings provided in such reports include, in a footnote, condensed consolidating financial information for the applicable periods with a separate column for (i) JBS Holdings, (ii) the Company, (iii) any Subsidiaries of JBS Holdings other than the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iv) consolidating adjustments and (v) the total consolidated amounts,

(any period during which the reporting obligations pursuant to clause (a) above are suspended pursuant to this clause (b) being referred to herein as a “Reporting Suspension Period”). The requirements of Sections 4.03(a)-(d) shall resume as of the end of any Reporting Suspension Period, but no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred or be continuing due to non-compliance during any Reporting Suspension Period with the requirements of Sections 4.03(a)-(d).

(f) In addition, the Company and the Guarantors agree that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time they are not required to file with the Commission the reports required by Section 4.03(a), they will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(g) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 26, 2010, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company shall also comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith and in any event within five Business Days upon any Officer becoming aware

 

57


of any Default or Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Company shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies; provided, that neither the Company nor any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

Section 4.08 Payments for Consent.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue

 

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Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness or issue Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, clause (a) of this Section 4.09 will not prohibit the incurrence or issuance of any of the following items of Indebtedness or Preferred Stock (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness (including letters of credit) under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) outstanding under this clause as of the date of any such incurrence immediately after giving effect thereto, not to exceed an amount equal to (a) $1.2 billion less the Applied Proceeds Amount with respect to term Indebtedness plus (b) the greater of (x) $600.0 million less the Applied Proceeds Amount with respect to revolving credit Indebtedness or (y) the Domestic Borrowing Base;

(2) the incurrence by the Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (including letters of credit) under the Existing Foreign Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount under this clause (2) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) outstanding as of the date of any such incurrence immediately after giving effect thereto, not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million or (y) the Foreign Borrowing Base;

(3) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Initial Notes and the Notes issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation, commissioning or improvement of property, plant or equipment (a) with respect to the Douglas Facility or (b) otherwise used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time under this clause (4) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, repurchase, defease, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4)) as of the date of any such incurrence immediately after giving effect thereto, not to exceed (A) in the case of Section 4.09 (4)(a) $60.0 million and (B) in the case of Section 4.09(4)(b), the greater of (x) $125.0 million or (y) 4% of the Company’s Total Assets;

 

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(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations pursuant to which the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary has hedged against its actual exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, currency values or commodity prices;

(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness;

(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, repurchase, defease, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (3), (4), (6), (7), (16), (18) or (19) of this Section 4.09(b);

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness and Intercompany Bonds between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(A) except in the case of Intercompany Bonds, if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Note, in the case of the Company, or the Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

(B) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (8);

(9) the Guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant and, in the case of a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, the provisions of Section 4.17;

(10) Indebtedness of the Company to the extent the net proceeds thereof are promptly (a) used to purchase the Notes tendered in a Change of Control Offer made as a result of a Change of Control in accordance with this Indenture, or (b) deposited to defease the Notes in accordance with Section 8.04 hereof;

(11) the issuance of Preferred Stock to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, payment obligations in connection with health or other types of social security benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations, reclamation, statutory obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, surety or similar bonds and letters of credit or completion or performance guarantees or equipment leases, or other similar obligations in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(13) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds;

(14) Indebtedness constituting obligations in respect of purchase price adjustments, Guarantees or indemnities in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(15) accounts payable or other obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods or services;

(16) Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(17) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business; provided, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(18) the incurrence by the Company of JBS Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time under this clause (18) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, repurchase, defease, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (18)) as of the date of any such incurrence immediately after giving effect thereto, not to exceed $150.0 million;

(19) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) outstanding under this clause (19) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge renew, refund, refinance, replace, repurchase, defease, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (19)) as of the date of any such incurrence immediately after giving effect thereto, not to exceed the greater of (a) $75.0 million or (b) 2.5% of the Company’s Total Assets.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness, including Acquired Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses

 

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(1) through (19) of this Section 4.09(b), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company will be permitted to divide and classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or thereafter re-divide and reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this covenant; provided, that (x) Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing U.S. Credit Facilities on the date of this Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided in Section 4.09(b)(1) and (y) Indebtedness outstanding under Existing Foreign Credit Facility on the date of this Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided in Section 4.09(b)(2).

(c) The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.

(d) With respect to Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than United States dollars, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not have been deemed to incur Indebtedness solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.

Section 4.10 Liens.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its assets (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the date the Notes are first issued or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees are secured on an equal and ratable basis with such Indebtedness for so long as such Indebtedness is secured by such Lien; provided, however, if such Lien secures Subordinated Indebtedness, the Lien securing such subordinated Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to a Lien securing the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be.

Section 4.11 Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (x) in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (y) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

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(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness (excluding (i) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition) except at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in this clause (4) and clauses (1) through (3) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.11(a), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make any Restricted Payment if, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and

(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after September 26, 2010 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) of Section 4.11(c)) is less than the sum, without duplication, of

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from September 26, 2010 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus

(B) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and fair market value of property other than cash, received by the Company since September 26, 2010 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or

 

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exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), plus

(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after September 26, 2010 is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of property other than cash received, plus

(D) if any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of such redesignated Subsidiary (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) as of the date of its redesignation (other than to the extent that the Investment originally made in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was a Permitted Investment).

(c) Sections 4.11(a) and (b) shall not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice such dividend, distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided, that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment shall be excluded from clause (b)(3)(B) of this Section 4.11;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, that the amount of any such net cash proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness that are utilized for any such defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (b)(3)(B) of this Section 4.11;

(4) the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis so long as the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries receives at least a pro rata share (and in like form) of the dividend or distribution in accordance with its common Equity Interests;

(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any member of the management or the Board of Directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement or similar agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or

 

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retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $10.0 million in any twelve-month period (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to the next succeeding fiscal year, but no further); provided, further, that the amounts in any 12-month period may be increased by an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of the Company’s Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to any member of the management or the Board of Directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and provided, further, that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (b)(3)(B) of this Section 4.11 and to the extent such proceeds have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments;

(6) the payment of obligations arising in connection with a Change of Control, provided, that the Company has fulfilled its obligations pursuant to Section 4.16 with respect to a Change of Control;

(7) payments on or with respect to JBS Subordinated Indebtedness; and

(8) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $35.0 million since the Issue Date,

provided, however, in the case of any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 4.11(c)(4), (5), (7) or (8), that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the payment or as a result of that Restricted Payment.

(d) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued to or by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant shall be determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Restricted Payments described in this Section 4.11, the Company, in its sole discretion, may order and classify (or later reorder and reclassify) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 4.11

(e) Any dividend which is declared but not paid shall not be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments for purposes of clause (b) of this Section 4.11, and any dividend which is declared and paid shall be included only once in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments for purposes of clause (b) of this Section 4.11.

Section 4.12 Asset Sales.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any Person assuming

 

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responsibilities for any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (measured at the time of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale and as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or assets or Voting Stock of a type referred to in clauses (3), (4) or (5) of Section 4.12(b). For purposes of this Section 4.12, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability; and

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion) within 180 days of the related Asset Sale.

(b) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may, at its option:

(1) apply such Net Proceeds to permanently repay, purchase or otherwise retire the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Indebtedness and other Obligations that are secured by a Lien (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto);

(2) repay, purchase, redeem or otherwise retire unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that if the Company shall so repay, purchase, redeem or otherwise retire such unsubordinated Indebtedness, the Company will either (a) offer to equally and ratably repurchase the Notes by making an offer to purchase, substantially in accordance with the procedures for an Asset Sale Offer set forth below, to all Holders of Notes, at a purchase price equal to at least 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase or (b) equally and ratably redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof;

(3) apply such Net Proceeds to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority of the Voting Stock of, another business reasonably related to the business of the Company;

(4) apply such Net Proceeds to make a capital expenditure used or useful in the Company’s business;

 

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(5) apply such Net Proceeds to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in the Company’s business; or

(6) enter into a binding agreement with respect to the application of such Net Proceeds described in clauses (3), (4) or (5) of this Section 4.12(b); provided, that such binding agreement shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated, or (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period.

Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested (or that the Company determines will not be applied or invested, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee) as provided in clause (b) of this Section 4.12 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $35.0 million, then within 45 Business Days after the later of the application of Net Proceeds in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 4.12 and the date that is 360 days following the receipt of the Net Proceeds, to the extent of the balance of the Net Proceeds after application in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 4.12, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and, to the extent required or permitted under the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness, all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and, to the extent required or permitted under the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness, such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and, to the extent required or permitted under the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness, such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Company shall select any such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and any such other pari passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(d) The Company will make the Asset Sale Offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.08 hereof and will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.08 hereof and this Section 4.12 by virtue of such conflict.

 

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Section 4.13 Dividend And Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The provisions of clause (a) of this Section 4.13 will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided, that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in agreements, as in effect on the Issue Date;

(2) Existing Indebtedness, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(3) applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, license, permit or similar restriction;

(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

 

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(5) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, licenses and leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

(6) purchase money obligations for property (including Capital Stock) acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the nature described in clause (a)(3) of this Section 4.13;

(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(9) Liens permitted to be incurred under Section 4.10 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;

(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, assets sale agreements, sale and leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) restrictions on cash, Cash Equivalents or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or lessors under contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(12) customary restrictions imposed on any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Permitted Securitization Program;

(13) encumbrances on property that exist at the time the property was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(14) Hedging Obligations incurred from time to time; and

(15) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided, that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date.

 

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Section 4.14 Affiliate Transactions.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; and

(2)(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, such determination shall be set forth in a Board Resolution stating that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; and

(B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, the Board of Directors has received an opinion as to the fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an Independent Financial Advisor.

(b) The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of clause (a) of this Section 4.14:

(1) any transaction entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

(2) any transaction entered into by the Company with JBS Holdings or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business or permitted pursuant to clause (18) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”;

(3) any transaction entered into by the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company;

(4) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in such Person;

(5) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company and reasonable indemnification arrangements;

(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of Section 4.11 hereof;

 

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(7) loans or advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(8) transactions with Unrestricted Subsidiaries, customers, clients, suppliers, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or lessors or lessees of property, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are, in the aggregate, (taking into account all the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), materially no less favorable to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person, in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from a party that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

(9) if such Affiliate Transaction is with a Person in its capacity as a holder of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where such Person is treated no more favorably than the other holders of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

(10) transactions effected pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date and any amendment, modification or replacement of such agreement (so long as such amendment or replacement is not in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors materially more disadvantageous to the Holders, taken as a whole, than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date).

Section 4.15 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of such designation and either will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.11(b) hereof or will at the time of such designation qualify as a Permitted Investment, as the Company shall determine. All such outstanding Investments will be valued at their fair market value at the time of such designation. That designation will only be permitted if such Investment would be permitted at that time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a Default and such redesignation will increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.11(b) hereof as provided therein or Permitted Investments, as applicable.

(b) Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted under Section 4.11. If,

 

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at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company shall be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.16 Offer To Repurchase Upon Change Of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the rights of Holders on the Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within ninety (90) days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has mailed by first-class mail or delivered by electronic transmission a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes in accordance with Section 3.03, the Company shall mail or deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating: (i) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.16 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment; (ii) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (v) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and (vii) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

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(b) On the Business Day immediately preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered. On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, and (ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will promptly mail or deliver by electronic transmission to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate (upon a written order of the Company) and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided, that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 5.16, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.16 by virtue thereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.16, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.16 and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to such Change of Control Offer in accordance with the terms hereof; or (ii) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(e) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer. Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled, at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by an unaffiliated third party pursuant to clause (d) of this Section 4.16 will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(f) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered, at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

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Section 4.17 Issuance of Guarantees by Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries.

As of the Issue Date, the Notes will be Guaranteed by each Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that has incurred or in any other manner is liable with respect to any Indebtedness (including a Guarantee of the Indebtedness of another Person) other than Excluded Indebtedness (“Guarantor Indebtedness”). If, following the Issue Date, any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary incurs or in any other manner becomes liable with respect to Guarantor Indebtedness, then such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary will be required to promptly (but in any event within 10 Business Days) execute and deliver a supplemental indenture to this Indenture and a notation of Subsidiary Guarantee providing for a Guarantee of payment of the Notes by such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary. The form of such supplemental indenture is attached as Exhibit F hereto.

Section 4.18 Changes in Covenants when Notes Rated Investment Grade.

(a) If on any date following the date of the Indenture the Notes obtain Investment Grade Status and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of Section 4.18(b), the covenants contained in Sections 4.09, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 5.01(a)(4) hereof shall be suspended.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Notes should subsequently cease to have Investment Grade Status, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline (the “Reversion Date”). On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the period the foregoing covenants were suspended (the “Covenant Suspension Period”) shall be classified to have been incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof (to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be incurred thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred prior to the date the foregoing covenants were suspended and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness would not be so permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof, such Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been outstanding on September 26, 2010, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.09(b)(6). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.11 shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Covenant Suspension Period (and, for avoidance of doubt, all Consolidated Net Income and other amounts attributable to the Covenant Suspension Period that would otherwise increase the amount of Restricted Payments available to be made pursuant to any clause of Section 4.11 hereof (including Section 4.11(b)(3)(A) hereof) shall be excluded in determining the amount of Restricted Payments available to be made following the Reversion Date). For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.12 hereof, on the Reversion Date, the Excess Cash from all Asset Sales not applied in accordance with such covenant shall be deemed to be reset to zero.

(c) The Company shall deliver promptly to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate notifying it of the commencement of any Covenant Suspension Period or Reversion Date.

 

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Section 4.19 Further Instruments and Acts.

Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

ARTICLE 5

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, in any transaction or in a series of related transactions: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:

(1) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation, limited liability company, business trust or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture, in each case pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and assumes all of the obligations of the Company under the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) is a limited liability company, business trust or limited partnership, a corporation of which all of the Equity Interests are owned by such Person shall be added to this Indenture as a co-issuer of the Notes by a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such corporation shall act as joint and several obligor with respect to the Notes;

(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists;

(4)(i) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (ii) the Fixed Charge Ratio for the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the date of and after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition and such incurrence or issuance, would not be less than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

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(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation or sale of assets and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.01 shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.

(d) For all purposes under this Indenture and the Notes, including the provisions described in this Section 5.01 and Sections 4.09 and 4.15, all Indebtedness of the surviving entity and its Subsidiaries that was not Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions shall be deemed to have been incurred upon such transaction or series of transactions.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes or its obligation to indemnify and compensate the Trustee except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets that is subject to, and meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(a) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

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(b) the Company defaults in the payment when due of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(c) failure by the Company or any of the Guarantors to comply with any of the provisions of Sections 4.16, 5.01 or 10.04 hereof;

(d) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.09, 4.11 or 4.12 hereof, which failure is continuing for a period of 30 days after the date on which the Company has received written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (with a copy to the Trustee) specifying such failure and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture;

(e) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with (A) the provisions of Section 4.03, which failure is continuing for a period of 90 days (and may be cured by filing or furnishing, as applicable, the delinquent report within such 90-day period) or (B) any of the other agreements in this Indenture, which failure is continuing for a period of 60 days, in each case after the date on which the Company has received written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (with a copy to the Trustee) specifying such failure and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture;

(f) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary defaults under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

(1) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $30.0 million or more;

(g) a final nonappealable judgment or final nonappealable judgments for the payment of money are entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and such judgment or judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of 60 days, provided, that the aggregate of all such undischarged judgments exceeds $30.0 million;

(h) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and

 

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(i) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case,

(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(3) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(5) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(j) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(1) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.;

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (j) of Section 6.01 hereof with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (j) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall extend to any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

(a) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except (i) a continuing Default or an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase), (ii) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to this Indenture, or (iii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 hereof cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment Default) will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without action by the Trustee or the Holders, if, within 30 days after such Event of Default arose, the Company delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or Guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action, as the case may be, giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such event unless annulled, waived or rescinded by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount then outstanding.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

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Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled

 

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and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, the Agents and each of their respective attorneys and agents for amounts due under Section 7.07 of this Indenture, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any fact or matter stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this clause (c) does not limit the effect of clause (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee will not be liable for the investment of or interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee or any Agent be liable under or in connection with this Indenture for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Trustee or such Agent has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities as Paying Agent and Registrar hereunder, each Agent, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) With the delivery of this Indenture, each of the Company and the Guarantors is furnishing to the Trustee, and from time to time thereafter may furnish, an Officer’s Certificate identifying and certifying the incumbency and specimen signatures of the Officers authorized to act on its behalf. Until the Trustee receives a subsequent Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the last such Officer’s Certificate delivered to it for purposes of determining the Officers of the Company and the Guarantors.

(k) In the event the Company is required to pay Special Interest pursuant to any Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Company’s obligation to pay Special Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of Special Interest to be paid by the Company. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall at any time be under any duty or responsibility to the Company, any Holders or any other Person to determine whether such Special Interest is payable or the amount thereof.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes, Subsidiary Guarantee, offering materials, or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

(a) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

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Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed or delivered by electronic transmission by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee against any and all damages, costs, claims, losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights, powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor may, subject to the approval of the Trustee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the payment of the Notes and/or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(d) To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the payment of the Notes and/or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided, all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

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Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a), (b), (c) and (d) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.06, 2.07 and 2.10 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors in connection therewith and (d) this Article 8. If the Company exercises under Section 8.01 hereof the option applicable to this Section 8.02, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Section 4.03 and Sections 4.08 through 4.18 hereof, and the operation of Section 5.01 hereof, with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to such covenants in connection with such outstanding Notes and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this

 

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Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c) through 6.01(h) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes.

The Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may be exercised only if:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either: (i) on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); or (ii) insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;

 

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(f) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, subject to customary exceptions and assuming no intervening bankruptcy of the Company or any Guarantor between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and assuming that no Holder is an “insider” of the Company under applicable bankruptcy law, to the effect that on the 91st day following the deposit, the defeasance trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights;

(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(h) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held In Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all cash and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized international standing expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the certification delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.

Any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal, premium,

 

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if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without the Consent of Holders.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 or by a successor to a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.04;

(d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder in any material respect;

 

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(e) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(f) to add a Guarantor;

(g) to evidence and provide the acceptance of a successor Trustee;

(h) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” contained in the final offering document relating to the original offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes;

(i) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes and related Subsidiary Guarantees in accordance with the limitations in this Indenture; and

(j) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities Depositary.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

After an amendment or supplement under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment or supplement. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of such amended or supplemental indenture.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided in Section 9.01 and below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including Sections 3.08, 4.12 and 4.16 hereof) and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee shall join

 

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with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of the then outstanding Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.08, 4.12 and 4.16 hereof;

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or Special Interest, if any, or premium, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or Special Interest, if any, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(g) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.08, 4.12 and 4.16 hereof);

(h) cause the Notes to become subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness;

(i) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of Section 10.05 hereof; or

 

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(j) make any change in Sections 6.04 or 6.07 or the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

In the event that consent is obtained from some of the Holders but not from all of the Holders with respect to any of the amendments or modifications in this Section 9.02, new Notes with such modifications will be issued to those consenting Holders. Such new Notes shall have separate CUSIP numbers from those Notes held by the non-consenting Holders to the extent CUSIP numbers are assigned pursuant to Section 2.12.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in a amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order from the Company to authenticate such Notes, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments.

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 10

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Subsidiary Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 hereof or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor also agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations with regard to such Subsidiary Guarantee shall be joint and several, unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of the Notes or the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other obligor with respect to this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives and relinquishes all claims, rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such claims, rights or remedies, including but not limited to: (i) any right to require any of the Trustee, the Holders or the Company (each a “Benefited Party”), as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (A) proceed against the Company, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any other Person, (B) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (C) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Benefited Party in favor of the Company or any other Person, or (D) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Benefited Party whatsoever; (ii) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Company including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Company from any cause other than payment in full of the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees; (iii) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (iv) any defense based upon any Benefited Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees, except behavior which

 

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amounts to bad faith; (v)(A) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (B) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (C) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims and (D) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Benefited Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (vi) notices, demands, presentations, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance of the Subsidiary Guarantees, notices of default under the Notes or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement related thereto, and notices of any extension of credit to the Company and any right to consent to any thereof; (vii) to the extent permitted under applicable law, the benefits of any “One Action” rule and (viii) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees. Except to the extent expressly provided herein, including Section 8.02, 8.03 and 10.05, each Guarantor covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, any Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.02 hereof for the purposes of any Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of any such Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Subsidiary Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Article 10 shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving

 

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effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of any such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture, supplemental indenture or on the Subsidiary Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Subsidiary Guarantee is endorsed, the Subsidiary Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Merge, Consolidate, Etc., On Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(a) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(b) either (i) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition, or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if such surviving Person is not the Guarantor), assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, or (ii) in the case of any such sale or disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with Section 4.12.

In case of any such sale or other disposition, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this

 

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Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein or in any supplemental indenture to this Indenture as a Guarantor. All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 10.04, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 10.05 Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees.

(a) The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released and such Person shall no longer be deemed a Guarantor for purposes of this Indenture:

(1) in connection with any sale, disposition or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not conflict with Section 4.12 hereof;

(2) in connection with any sale, disposition or other transfer of Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a Person (including by way of merger or consolidation) that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, if after such sale, disposition or other transfer, such Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(3) if the Company properly designates the Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;

(4) if all Guarantor Indebtedness of such Guarantor has been paid in full or otherwise discharged.

(b) Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation that the application of Net Proceeds were applied (or, in the case of clause (a)(2) of this Section 10.05, will be applied) in accordance with Section 4.12 hereof, or such designation was made in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof, as the case may be, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect, except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(a) either:

(1) all Notes that have been previously authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has previously been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and is thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from the trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all Notes that have not been previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of a notice of redemption by the Trustee, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes to the date of deposit, in the case of Notes that have become due and payable, or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(c) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied.

Section 11.02 Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held In Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all cash and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 11.02, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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Section 11.03 Repayment to Company.

Any cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

1770 Promontory Circle

Greeley, Colorado 80634

Facsimile No.: (970)  ###-###-####

Attention: Christopher Gaddis

 

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With a copy to:

Baker & McKenzie LLP

2300 Trammel Crow Center

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile No.: (214)  ###-###-####

Attention: Crews Lott, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, Floor 4 East

Facsimile No.: (212)  ###-###-####

Attention: Global Corporate Trust

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given upon actual receipt thereof.

Any notice or communication to a Holder of Definitive Notes will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication to a Holder of a Global Note will be delivered to the Depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails or delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail or deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

In respect of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person sending instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information by electronic transmission is, in fact, a Person authorized to give such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information on behalf of the party purporting to send such electronic transmission; and the Trustee shall not have any liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by any party as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information. Each other party agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of electronic methods to submit instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, notices, reports or other communications or information, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include substantially:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 12.06 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

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Section 12.07 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.08 Governing Law.

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 12.09 Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.

(a) Any suit, action or proceeding against any of the Company or the Guarantors or its or their respective properties, assets or revenues with respect to this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees (a “Related Proceeding”) may be brought in any court of the State of New York or any United States federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, United States, and any appellate court from any thereof, as the Person bringing such Related Proceeding may elect in its sole discretion. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of each such court for the purpose of any Related Proceeding and has irrevocably waived any objection to the laying of venue of any Related Proceeding brought in any such court and to the fullest extent it may effectively do so and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any Related Proceeding or any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court. Each of the Company and the Guarantors has agreed that service of all writs, claims, process and summonses in any Related Proceeding brought against it in the State of New York may be made upon it at the address for notices set forth in Section 12.02 of this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall in any way be deemed to limit the ability to serve any such writs, process or summonses in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

(b) To the extent that any of the Company or the Guarantors has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or execution, on the ground of sovereignty or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, it hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture, Note and/or Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

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Section 12.10 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.11 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture because of circumstances beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot, strikes or work stoppages for any reason, embargo, government action, including any laws, ordinances, regulations or the like which restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture, inability to obtain material, equipment, or communications or computer facilities, or the failure of equipment or interruption of communications or computer facilities, and other causes beyond its control whether or not of the same class or kind as specifically named above.

Section 12.12 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.13 Successors.

All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 12.14 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.15 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

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Section 12.16 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The Table of Contents and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of December 14, 2010

ISSUER:

PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

 

By:

 

    /s/ Gary Tucker

Name:

  Gary Tucker

Title:

  Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer

GUARANTOR:

PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

By:

 

    /s/ Gary Tucker

Name:

  Gary Tucker

Title:

  Principal Financial Officer

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

By:

 

    /s/ Lucia Jacklitsch

Name:

 

Lucia Jacklitsch

Title:

 

Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE:

[FACE OF NOTE]

 

No.      $       

CUSIP No.

ISIN No.

7.875% Senior Note Due 2018

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                     , or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                     ] Dollars ($                     ) on December 15, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: December 15 and June 15 of each year, beginning on [                    ]

Regular Record Dates: December 1 and June 1 of each year

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

 

By:

 
   

 

      Name:
      Title:

Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

By:

 

 

    Authorized Signatory

 

A-1


[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

7.875% Senior Notes Due 2018

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

(1) INTEREST

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on December 15 and June 15 of each year, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing [                    ], to holders of record on the immediately preceding December 1 or June 1 (whether or not a Business Day). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance of this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company will pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by this Note plus 2.0% per annum, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same higher rate to the extent lawful.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT

The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the December 1 or June 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Regular Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary or its nominee. The Company will make all payments in respect of a Definitive Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders of the Definitive Note or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such Holder’s registered address.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

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(4) INDENTURE

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of December 14, 2010 (the “Indenture”), each among the Company, the Guarantor named therein and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “TIA”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of those terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Notes.

On and after December 15, 2014, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on December 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2014

     103.9375

2015

     101.9688

2016 and thereafter

     100.0000

In addition, prior to December 15, 2013, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued (which includes the Additional Notes, if any) at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 107.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings; provided, however, that (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes the Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (other than Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries); and (2) each such redemption occurs within 90 days after the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

A-3


(6) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class mail or delivered by electronic transmission at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his registered address or otherwise in accordance with the Indenture.

(7) OFFERS TO REPURCHASE

Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Notes will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

In the event the amount of Excess Proceeds from Asset Dispositions consummated by the Company exceeds $35.0 million, any Holder of Notes will have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

(8) DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with the transfer of the Notes. No service charge will be imposed by the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, but the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption, and neither the Company nor the Registrar is required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

(9) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

The registered Holder of this Note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

(10) DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

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(11) AMENDMENT, WAIVER

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (a) the Indenture and the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes and (b) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to amend the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company in case of a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder, to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, to add a Guarantor, or to appoint a successor Trustee.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (a) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (b) default in payment of principal on the Notes when due; (c) failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (d) certain accelerations of other Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $30.0 million; (e) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company and any Restricted Subsidiaries; (f) certain judgments or decrees for the payment of money in excess of $30.0 million; and (g) certain defaults with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantees. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes by written notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

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(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(15) AUTHENTICATION

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

(17) CUSIP NUMBERS

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(18) GOVERNING LAW

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS NOTE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

1770 Promontory Circle

Greeley, CO 80634

Attention: Corporate Secretary

* * * * *

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint                      agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

    

 
Date:        Your Signature:      
      

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

 

Signature

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed

 

 

Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of

Transfer,

Exchange or

Redemption

 

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

 

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

following such

decrease or

increase

 

Signature of

authorized

officer of

Trustee or

Custodian


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or 4.16 of the Indenture, check the box:

 

          

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or 4.16 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $            

 

Dated:                        Your Signature:        
      

(Sign exactly as your name

appears on the other side

of this Note.)

 

 

Signature Guarantee:  

 

   
 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

1770 Promontory Circle

Greeley, Colorado 80634

Attention: Christopher Gaddis

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, Floor 4 East

Attention: Global Corporate Trust

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes Due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, registrar and paying agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                                  (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the

 

B-1


Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by [(1)] a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and [(2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this

 

B-2


certification) in form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.]1 Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

1

Include if an Opinion of Counsel is requested by the Company in connection with the transfer. Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company may request, in its sole discretion, an Opinion of Counsel for transfers pursuant to item 3(d).

 

B-3


 

 

    [Insert Name of Transferor]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated:                     

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP            ), or

 

  (iii) ¨ IAI Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

  (iv) ¨ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP            ); or

 

  (b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

1770 Promontory Circle

Greeley, Colorado 80634

Attention: Christopher Gaddis

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, Floor 4 East

Attention: Global Corporate Trust

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes Due 2018

(CUSIP [            ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, registrar and paying agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the

 

C-1


Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities

 

C-2


Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

   

 

    [Insert Name of Transferor]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation

1770 Promontory Circle

Greeley, Colorado 80634

Attention: Christopher Gaddis

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, Floor 4 East

Attention: Global Corporate Trust

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes Due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, registrar and paying agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $             aggregate principal amount of:

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if you request in your sole discretion, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the

 

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Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

   

 

    [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT E

EXHIBIT E

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantor named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, registrar and paying agent (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of this Subsidiary Guarantee. This Subsidiary Guarantee is subject to release as and to the extent set forth in Sections 8.02, 8.03, 8.05 and 10.05 of the Indenture. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined are used herein as so defined in the Indenture.

 

[GUARANTOR]

By:

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

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EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of West Virginia, Inc., as Guarantor, and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of December 14, 2010 providing for the issuance of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, each of the parties hereto is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Subsidiary Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

4. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

5. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO

 

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APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

6. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

8. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:                     ,

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
    as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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