9.875% Second-Priority Senior Secured Note due 2018

EX-4.29 2 dex429.htm FORM OF EXCHANGE NOTE FOR THE 9.875% SECOND-PRIORITY SENIOR SECURED NOTES Form of Exchange Note for the 9.875% Second-Priority Senior Secured Notes

Exhibit 4.29

 

No.    

$                 

9.875% Second-Priority Senior Secured Note due 2018

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

THE TERMS OF THIS SECURITY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, DATED NOVEMBER 3, 2010, BY AND AMONG CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH AND GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, EACH AS FIRST LIEN AGENT, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY , N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND THE OTHER PARTIES THERETO FROM TIME TO TIME.

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and QD CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security attached hereto on November 3, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2011

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, LLC
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

QD CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:    
 

Name:

Title:


Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

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

 

By:    
 

Name:

Title:


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]

1. Interest

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and QD CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (such entities, and their successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Issuers shall pay interest semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing November 1, 2011. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from November 3, 2010, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

2. Method of Payment

The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 15 or October 15 (each a “Record Date”) next preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America 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) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Issuers shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, 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 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 Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. QD LLC or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

4. Indenture

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 3, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors 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 terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms and provisions.


The Notes are second-priority senior secured obligations of the Issuers. This Note is one of the Exchange Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes, any Additional Notes and any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Initial Notes, any Additional Notes and any Exchange Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by the Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of each Issuer and each Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Guarantors have unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any Guarantor that executes a Guarantee will unconditionally guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations on a second-priority senior secured basis pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

5. Optional Redemption

On or after November 1, 2014, the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on November 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Period

   Redemption Price  

2014

     104.938 %

2015

     102.469 %

2016 and thereafter

     100.000 %

In addition, prior to November 1, 2014 the Issuers may redeem the Notes at their option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).


During any twelve-month period prior to November 1, 2014, the Issuers may redeem up to 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) at a redemption price of 103% (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to November 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by QD LLC or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of QD LLC to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of QD LLC or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of QD LLC, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 109.875%, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; and, provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed to each holder of Notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

6. Mandatory Redemption

Except as set forth in the Indenture, the Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. Notice of Redemption

Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at his, her or its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

8. Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuers will be required to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.


9. Ranking and Collateral

These Notes and the Guarantees will be secured by a second-priority security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. The Second Priority Liens upon any and all Collateral are, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Intercreditor Agreement, subordinate in ranking to all present and future First Priority Liens and will be of equal ranking with all present and future Liens securing Other Second-Lien Obligations as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

10. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes 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 to transfer or exchange any Notes for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

11. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, the holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and a Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

13. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit 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.

14. Amendment; Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent of any holder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor (with respect to an Issuer) of the obligations of an Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Holdco or Successor (with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture and the Security Documents; (iv) to add a Guarantor with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture; (v) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code); (vi) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement; (vii) to add Collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to add additional covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the holders or to surrender rights and powers conferred on the Issuers; (ix) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; (xi) to provide for the issuance of the Exchange Notes or Additional Notes; (xii) to release Collateral as permitted by the Indenture or the Intercreditor Agreement; or (xiii) to add additional secured creditors holding Other Second-Lien Obligations so long as such obligations are not prohibited by the Indenture or the Security Documents.


15. Defaults and Remedies

If an Event of Default occurs (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of QD LLC) and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, in each case, by notice to the Issuers, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of QD LLC occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense and certain other conditions are complied with. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) the holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

16. Trustee Dealings with the Issuer

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 Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.


17. No Recourse Against Others

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or holder of any equity interests in an Issuer or of any Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent corporation, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of an Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture 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.

18. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

19. Registration Rights Agreement

The holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement dated November 3, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Purchasers named therein.

20. 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).

21. Governing Law

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

22. CUSIP Numbers; ISINs

The Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the 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.

The Issuers will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.


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 Issuers. 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 Guarantee:    
Date:            
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee       Signature of Signature Guarantee


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES] SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR

DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $            . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

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
signatory of Trustee or
Notes Custodian


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:

Asset Sale ¨                 Change of Control ¨

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):

 

$

   
Date:         Your Signature:    
        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:    
  Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee