[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Note Agreements
EX-4.3 5 dex43.htm FORM OF 9 1/4% NOTE DUE 2013 Form of 9 1/4% Note due 2013

Exhibit 4.3

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

No.   $

 

CUSIP No.

 

9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due November 15, 2013

 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to             , or registered assigns, the principal sum of              Dollars ($            ) on November 15, 2013.

 

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15.

 

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1.

 

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
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.

     By:

 

 


   

Authorized Signatory


[GLOBAL NOTE LEGEND]

 

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 (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

 

9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due November 15, 2013

 

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; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Note at a rate of 0.50% per annum from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. The Company will pay interest semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 2004. 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 November 21, 2003. 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 1.0% per annum, and it will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same 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 May 1 or November 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the 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 and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depository. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Note will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3. Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation (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 November 21, 2003 (“Indenture”), among the Company, as successor to PPC Escrow Corp. pursuant to the merger of PPC Escrow Corp. with and into the Company, 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 “Act”). 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 Act 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 2.15 of the Indenture. The Notes issued on the date hereof, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

 

5. Optional Redemption

 

Except as set forth below and in paragraph 6, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Notes.

 

On and after November 15, 2008, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date) plus accrued interest to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on November 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Year


   Redemption
Price


 

2008

   104.625 %

2009

   103.083 %

2010

   101.542 %

2011 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

In addition, prior to November 15, 2006, the Company shall be entitled at its option on one or more occasions to redeem Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 109.25%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Public Equity Offerings; provided, however, that (1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes 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 45 days after the date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

 

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6. Mandatory Redemption

 

In the event the conditions precedent to the release to the Company of the Escrowed Funds (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) are not satisfied on or prior to December 31, 2003 or the Acquisition Agreement is terminated at any time prior thereto, the Company shall redeem the Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Company will cause the notice of special mandatory redemption to be mailed no later than the next Business Day following December 31, 2003 or following the date the Acquisition Agreement is terminated, as applicable, and will redeem the Notes not later than five Business Days following the date of the notice of redemption.

 

7. Notice of Redemption

 

Except as set forth in paragraph 6 above, notice of redemption will be mailed 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.

 

8. Put Provisions

 

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 $20 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 interest to the date of repurchase as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

9. Subordination

 

The Notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid before the Notes may be paid. Each Holder by accepting a Note authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in the Indenture and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

10. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.

 

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11. Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12. 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 or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

13. 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 Trust Indenture Act, to add a Guarantor, or to appoint a successor Trustee.

 

14. 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 $20.0 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 $20.0 million; (g) certain defaults with respect to Guarantees; certain failures of the Escrow Agreement to be in full force and effect; and (h) failure by the Company to redeem the Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes 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.

 

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15. 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.

 

16. No Recourse Against Others

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

17. 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.

 

18. 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).

 

19. 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.

 

20. Holders’ Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each Holder of a Note, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

 

21. 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.

 


 

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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

110 South Texas Street

Pittsburg, Texas 75686

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

* * * * *

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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Assignment Form

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 


(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)


(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                           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 face of this Note)

 

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.

 

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