PROMISSORY NOTE

EX-4.1 3 a04-3723_1ex4d1.htm EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal

 

Loan Date

 

Maturity

 

Loan No

 

Call / Coll

 

Account

 

Officer

 

Initials

 

$

1,300,000.00

 

03-18-2004

 

02-28-2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing “ * * * ” has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

 

Borrower:

 

Quality Products, Inc.
2222 South Third Street
Columbus, OH 43207

 

Lender:

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Columbus Commercial Banking
P. O. Box 341470 - HZ0325
Columbus, OH ###-###-####

 

Principal Amount:  $1,300,000.00

 

Initial Rate:  3.490%

 

Date of Note:  March 18, 2004

 

PROMISE TO PAY. Quality Products, Inc. (“Borrower”) promises to pay to THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK (“Lender”), or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of One Million Three Hundred Thousand & 00/100 Dollars ($1,300,000.00), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance from March 18, 2004, until paid in full.

 

PAYMENT. Subject to any payment changes resulting from changes in the Index, Borrower will pay this loan in 59 principal payments of $21,666.67 each and one final principal and interest payment of $21,725.28. Borrower’s first principal payment is due March 31, 2004, and all subsequent principal payments are due on the same day of each month after that. In addition, Borrower will pay regular monthly payments of all accrued unpaid interest due as of each payment date, beginning March 31, 2004, with all subsequent interest payments to be due on the same day of each month after that. Borrower’s final payment due February 28, 2009, will be for all principal and all accrued interest not yet paid. Unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any accrued unpaid interest; then to principal; then to any unpaid collection costs; and then to any late charges. The annual interest rate for this Note is computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the annual interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. Borrower will pay Lender at Lender’s address shown above or at such other place as Lender may designate in writing.

 

VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. The interest rate on this Note is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the LIBO Rate. As used herein, LIBO Rate shall mean the rate obtained by dividing: (1) the actual or estimated per annum rate, or the arithmetic mean of the per annum rates, of interest for deposits in U.S. dollars for the related LIBO Rate Interest Period (as hereinafter defined), as determined by Lender in its discretion based upon reference to information which appears on page LIBOR01, captioned British Bankers Assoc. Interest Settlement Rates, of the Reuters America Network, a service of Reuters America Inc. (or such other page that may replace that page on that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates; or, if such service ceases to be available or ceases to be used by Lender, such other reasonably comparable money rate service as Lender may select) or upon information obtained from any other reasonable procedure, as of two Banking Days (as hereinafter defined) prior to the first day of a LIBO Rate Interest Period; by (2) an amount equal to one minus the stated maximum rate (expressed as a decimal), if any, of all reserve requirements (including, without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves) that is specified on the first day of each LIBO Rate Interest Period by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor agency thereto) for determining the maximum reserve requirement with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D of such Board) maintained by a member bank of such System, or any other regulations of any governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto as conclusively determined by the Lender. Subject to any maximum or minimum interest rate limitation specified herein or by applicable law, any variable rate of interest on the obligation evidenced hereby shall change automatically without notice to the Borrower on the first day of each LIBO Rate Interest Period (the “Index”). The Index is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans. If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of this loan, Lender may designate a substitute index after notice to Borrower. Lender will tell Borrower the current Index rate upon Borrower’s request. The interest rate change will not occur more often than each month (the “rate change event”). Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on other rates as well. The initial rate is based on the Index as of March 15, 2004 which was 1.090% per annum. Initially, the interest rate to be applied to the unpaid principal balance of the Note is 3.490%. After the first rate change event, the interest rate to be applied to the unpaid principal balance of this Note will be at a rate of 2.400 percentage points over the Index. NOTICE: Under no circumstances will the interest rate on this Note be more than the maximum rate allowed by applicable law.

 

PREPAYMENT. Borrower agrees that all loan fees and other prepaid finance charges are earned fully as of the date of the loan and will not be subject to refund upon early payment (whether voluntary or as a result of default), except as otherwise required by law. Except for the foregoing, Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of the amount owed earlier than it is due. Early payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower’s obligation to continue to make payments under the payment schedule. Rather, early payments will reduce the principal balance due and may result in Borrower’s making fewer payments. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments marked “paid in full”, “without recourse”, or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment, Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender’s rights under this Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount owed to Lender. All written communications concerning disputed amounts, including any check or other payment instrument that indicates that the payment constitutes “payment in full” of the amount owed or that is tendered with other conditions or limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be mailed or delivered to: The Huntington National Bank, Commercial Customer Support, 7450 Huntington Park Drive - HZ0326 Columbus, OH 43235.

 

LATE CHARGE. If a payment is 11 days or more late, Borrower will be charged 5.000% of the regularly scheduled payment.

 

INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, including failure to pay upon final maturity, Lender, at its option, may, if permitted under applicable law, increase the variable interest rate on this Note to 5.400 percentage points over the Index. The interest rate will not exceed the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”) under this Note:

 

Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under this Note.

 

Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower.

 

False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Borrower or on Borrower’s behalf under this Note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrower’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan. This includes a garnishment of any of Borrower's accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Borrower as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any Gurantor of any of the indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any guaranty of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

 

Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of Borrower.

 

Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of this Note is impaired.

 

Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

LENDER'S RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal balance on this Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, and then Borrower will pay that amount.

 

ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire or pay someone else to collect this Note if Borrower does not pay. Borrower will pay Lender that amount. This includes, subject to any limits under applicable law, Lender's attorneys' fees and Lender's legal expenses, whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees, exenses for bankruptcy proceedings (including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), and appeals. If not prohibited by applicable law, Borrower also will pay any court costs, in addition to all other sums provided by law.

 



 

JURY WAIVER. Lender and Borrower hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against the other.

 

GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with federal law and the laws of the State of Ohio. This Note has been accepted by Lender in the State of Ohio.

 

CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers any attorney-at-law, including an attorney hired by Lender, to appear in any court of record and to confess judgment against Borrower for the unpaid amount of this Note as evidenced by an affidavit signed by an officer of Lender setting forth the amount then due, attorneys’ fees plus costs of suit, and to release all errors, and waive all rights of appeal. If a copy of this Note, verified by an affidavit, shall have been filed in the proceeding, it will not be necessary to file the original as a warrant of attorney. Borrower waives the right to any stay of execution and the benefit of all exemption laws now or hereafter in effect. No single exercise of the foregoing warrant and power to confess judgment will be deemed to exhaust the power, whether or not any such exercise shall be held by any court to be invalid, voidable, or void; but the power will continue undiminished and may be exercised from time to time as Lender may elect until all amounts owing on this Note have been paid in full. Borrower waives any conflict of interest that an attorney hired by Lender may have in acting on behalf of Borrower in confessing judgment against Borrower while such attorney is retained by Lender. Borrower expressly consents to such attorney acting for Borrower in confessing judgment.

 

DISHONORED ITEM FEE. Borrower will pay a fee to Lender of $15.00 if Borrower makes a payment on Borrower’s loan and the check or preauthorized charge with which Borrower pays is later dishonored.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does hot include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower agrees to furnish from time to time on the request of the Lender true and complete financial statements and such other information as the Lender may reasonably require.

 

PROCESSING FEE. Borrower shall pay to Lender on the date of this Note a processing fee in the amount of $0.00. Lender and Borrower agree that the fee shall be fully earned by Lender on the date of this Note.

 

PAYMENT DATES. If the due date of any payment under this Note shall be a day that is not a Banking Day (as defined herein), the due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Banking Day; provided, however, that if such next succeeding Banking Day occurs in the following calendar month, then the due date shall be the immediately preceding Banking Day.

 

ADDITIONAL DEFAULT. In addition to those events described as Events of Default in the Section of this Note captioned DEFAULT, it shall constitute an Event of Default under this Note if Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement between Borrower and Lender.

 

ADDITIONAL LIBO RATE PROVISIONS. As used herein, Banking Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which banks are open for business in Columbus, Ohio, and on which banks in London, England, settle payments.

 

As used herein, LIBO Rate Interest Period shall mean one (1) month, provided that: (1) if any LIBO Rate Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Banking Day, the LIBO Rate Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Banking Day (provided, however, that if such next succeeding Banking Day occurs in the following calendar month, then the LIBO Rate Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Banking Day).

 

In the event that Lender reasonably determines that by reason of (1) any change arising after the date of this Note affecting the interbank eurocurrency market or affecting the position of the Lender with respect to such market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rates by reference to which the LIBO Rate then being determined is to be fixed, (2) any change arising after the date of this Note in any applicable law or governmental rule, regulation or order (or any interpretation thereof, including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation or order), or (3) any other circumstance affecting the Lender or the interbank market (such as, but not limited to, official reserve requirements required by Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), the LIBO Rate plus the applicable spread shall not represent the effective pricing to the Lender of accruing interest hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate, then, and in any such event, the accruing of interest hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate shall be suspended until Lender shall notify the Borrower that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist. In such case, beginning on the date of such suspension interest shall accrue hereunder at a variable rate of interest per annum, which shall change in the manner set forth below, equal to         percentage points in excess of the Prime Commercial Rate (as hereinafter defined).

 

In the event that on any date Lender shall have reasonably determined that accruing interest hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate has become unlawful by compliance by the Lender in good faith with any law, governmental rule, regulation or order, then, and in any such event, the Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower. In such case, accruing interest hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate shall be terminated and the Borrower shall, at the earlier of the end of each LIBO Rate Interest Period then in effect or when required by law, repay the advances based upon the LIBO Rate, together with all interest accrued thereon. In such case, when required by law, interest shall accrue hereunder at a variable rate of interest per annum, which shall change in the manner set forth below, equal to           percentage points in excess of the Prime Commercial Rate.

 

As used herein, Prime Commercial Rate shall mean the rate established by Lender from time to time based on its consideration of economic, money market, business and competitive factors, and it is not necessarily the Lender’s most favored rate. Subject to any maximum or minimum interest rate limitation specified herein or by applicable law, any variable rate of interest on the obligation evidenced hereby based upon the Prime Commercial Rate shall change automatically without notice to the Borrower immediately with each change in the Prime Commercial Rate. If during any period of time while interest is accruing hereunder based upon the Prime Commercial Rate the obligation evidenced by this Note is not paid at maturity, whether maturity occurs by lapse of time, demand, acceleration or otherwise, the unpaid principal balance and any unpaid interest thereon shall, thereafter until paid, bear interest at a rate equal to          percentage points (which shall be 0.00 percentage points, unless completed) in excess of the rate indicated in the immediately preceding two paragraphs.

 

If, due to (1) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation, (2) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other public authority (whether or not having the force of law), or (3) the failure of the Borrower to repay any advance when required by the terms of this Note, there shall be any loss or increase in the cost to the Lender of accruing interest hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate, then the Borrower agrees that the Borrower shall, from time to time, upon demand by the Lender, pay to the Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate the Lender for such loss or increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such loss or increase cost, submitted to the Borrower by the Lender, shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the correctness of such amount.

 

Notwithstanding the section above captioned PREPAYMENT, during any period of time while interest is accruing hereunder based upon the LIBO Rate Borrower may not prepay any portion of the outstanding principal balance prior to the expiration of the then current LIBO Rate Interest Period.

 

DETERMINATION OF INDEX. This Note expresses an initial interest rate and an initial index value to 3 places to the right of the decimal point. This expression is done solely for convenience. The reference sources for the index used by Lender, as stated in this Note, may actually quote the Index on any given day to as many as 5 places to the right of the decimal point. Therefore, the actual index value used to calculate the interest rate on and the amount of interest due under this Note will be to 5 places to the right of the decimal point.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY THE USA PATRIOT ACT. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each entity or person who opens an account or establishes a relationship with the Lender.

 

What this means: When an entity or person opens an account or establishes a relationshiop with the Lender, the Lender may ask for the name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow the Lender to identify the entity or person who opens an account or establishes a relationship with the Lender.  The Lender may also ask to see indentifying documents for the entity or person.

 

SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. The terms of this Note shall be binding upon Borrower, and upon Borrower's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. If any part of this Note cannot be enforced, this fact will not affect the rest of the Note. Borrower does not agree or intend to pay, and Lender does not agree or intend to contract for, charge, collect, take, reserve or receive (collectively referred to herein as "charge or collect"), any amount in the nature of interest or in the nature of a fee for this loan, which would in any way or event (including demand, prepayment, or acceleration) cause Lender to charge or collect more for this loan than the maximum Lender would be permitted to charge or collect by federal law or the law of the State of Ohio (as applicable).Any such excess interest or unauthorized fee shall, instead of anything stated to the contrary, be applied first to reduce the principal balance of this loan, and when the principal has been paid in full, be refunded to Borrower. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights or remedies under this Note without losing them. Borrower and any other person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent allowed by law, waive presentment, demand for payment, and notice of dishonor.  Upon any change in the terms of this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party who signs this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or endorser, shall be released from liability. All such parties agree that Lender may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan or release any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect Lender's security interest in the collateral; and take any other action deemed necessary by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone. All such parties also agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made. The obligations under this Note are joint and several.

2



 

PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE, INCLUDING THE VARIABLE INTEREST RATE PROVISIONS. BORROWER AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE NOTE.

 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE.

 

NOTICE:  FOR THIS NOTICE “YOU” MEANS THE BORROWER AND “CREDITOR” AND “HIS” MEANS LENDER.

 

WARNING - - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

QUALITY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Richard A. Drexler, Chief Executive Officer of
Quality Products, Inc.

 

 

3



 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal

 

Loan Date

 

Maturity

 

Loan No

 

Call / Coll

 

Account

 

Officer

 

Initials

 

$

200,000.00

 

03-18-2004

 

03-31-2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing “ * * * ” has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

 

Borrower:

 

Quality Products, Inc.
2222 South Third Street
Columbus, OH 43207

 

Lender:

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Columbus Commercial Banking
P. O. Box 341470 - HZ0325
Columbus, OH ###-###-####

 

Principal Amount:  $ 200,000.00

 

Initial Rate:  3.490%

 

Date of Note:  March 18, 2004

 

PROMISE TO PAY. Quality Products, Inc. (“Borrower”) promises to pay to THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK (“Lender”), or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of Two Hundred Thousand & 00/100 Dollars ($200,000.00) or so much as may be outstanding, together with interest on the unpaid outstanding principal balance of each advance. Interest shall be calculated from the date of each advance until repayment of each advance.

 

PAYMENT. Borrower will pay this loan in one payment of all outstanding principal plus all accrued unpaid interest on March 31, 2005. In addition, Borrower will pay regular monthly payments of all accrued unpaid interest due as of each payment date, beginning March 31, 2004, with all subsequent interest payments to be due on the same day of each month after that. Unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any accrued unpaid interest; then to principal; then to any unpaid collection costs; and then to any late charges. The annual interest rate for this Note is computed on a 365/360 basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the annual interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. Borrower will pay Lender at Lender’s address shown above or at such other place as Lender may designate in writing.

 

VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. The interest rate on this Note is subject to change from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate. As used herein, Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate shall mean the rate obtained by dividing: (1) the actual or estimated per annum rate, or the arithmetic mean of the per annum rates, of interest for deposits in U.S. dollars for one (1) month periods, as offered and determined by Lender in its sole discretion based upon information which appears on page LIBOR01, captioned British Bankers Assoc. Interest Rate Settlement Rates, of the Reuters America Network, a service of Reuters America Inc. (or such other page that may replace that page on that service for the purpose of displaying LIBO rates; or, if such service ceases to be available or ceases to be used by Lender, such other reasonably comparable money rate service as Lender may select) or upon information obtained from any other reasonable procedure, on each date the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate is determined; by (2) an amount equal to one minus the stated maximum rate (expressed as a decimal), if any, of all reserve requirements (including, without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves) that is specified on each date the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate is determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor agency thereto) for determining the maximum reserve requirement with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D of such Board) maintained by a member bank of such System, or any other regulations of any governmental authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto, all as conclusively determined by Lender, absent manifest error, such result to be rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of one-sixteenth of one percent (1/16 of 1.0%) per annum. Subject to any maximum or minimum interest rate limitation specified herein or by applicable law, the interest rate shall change automatically without notice to Borrower immediately on each day with each change in the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate or the reserve requirement, as applicable, with any change thereto effective as of the opening of business on the day of the change (the “Index”). The Index is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans. If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of this loan, Lender may designate a substitute index after notice to Borrower. Lender will tell Borrower the current Index rate upon Borrower’s request. The interest rate change will not occur more often than each day (the “rate change event”). Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on other rates as well. The initial rate is based on the Index as of March 15, 2004 which was 1.090% per annum. Initially, the interest rate to be applied to the unpaid principal balance of the Note is 3.490%. After the first rate change event, the interest rate to be applied to the unpaid principal balance of this Note will be at a rate of 2.400 percentage points over the Index. NOTICE: Under no circumstances will the interest rate on this Note be more than the maximum rate allowed by applicable law.

 

PREPAYMENT. Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of the amount owed earlier than it is due. Early payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower’s obligation to continue to make payments of accrued unpaid interest. Rather, early payments will reduce the principal balance due. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments marked “paid in full”, “without recourse”, or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment, Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender’s rights under this Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount owed to Lender. All written communications concerning disputed amounts, including any check or other payment instrument that indicates that the payment constitutes “payment in full” of the amount owed or that is tendered with other conditions or limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be mailed or delivered to: The Huntington National Bank, Commercial Customer Support, 7450 Huntington Park Drive - HZ0326 Columbus, OH 43235.

 

LATE CHARGE. If a payment is 11 days or more late, Borrower will be charged 5.000% of the regularly scheduled payment.

 

INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, including failure to pay upon final maturity, Lender, at its option, may, if permitted under applicable law, increase the variable interest rate on this Note to 5.400 percentage points over the Index. The interest rate will not exceed the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”) under this Note:

 

Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under this Note.

 

Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower.

 

False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Borrower or on Borrower’s behalf under this Note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrower’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan. This includes a garnishment of any of Borrower’s accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Borrower as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any gurantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party of any of the indebtedness or any guarantor, endorser, surety, or accomodation party dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any guaranty of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

 

Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of Borrower.

 

Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of this Note is impaired.

 

Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

LENDER'S RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal balance on this Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, and then Borrower will pay that amount.

 

ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire or pay someone else to collect this Note if Borrower does not pay. Borrower will pay Lender that amount. This includes, subject to any limits under applicable law, Lender's attorneys' fees and Lender's legal expenses, whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees, exenses for bankruptcy proceedings(including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), and appeals.  If not prohibited by applicable law, Borrower also will pay any court costs, in addition to all other sums provided by law.

 

JURY WAIVER. Lender and Borrower hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against the other.

 



 

GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with federal law and the laws of the State of Ohio. This Note has been accepted by Lender in the State of Ohio.

 

CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers any attorney-at-law, including an attorney hired by Lender, to appear in any court of record and to confess judgment against Borrower for the unpaid amount of this Note as evidenced by an affidavit signed by an officer of Lender setting forth the amount then due, attorneys’ fees plus costs of suit, and to release all errors, and waive all rights of appeal. If a copy of this Note, verified by an affidavit, shall have been filed in the proceeding, it will not be necessary to file the original as a warrant of attorney. Borrower waives the right to any stay of execution and the benefit of all exemption laws now or hereafter in effect. No single exercise of the foregoing warrant and power to confess judgment will be deemed to exhaust the power, whether or not any such exercise shall be held by any court to be invalid, voidable, or void; but the power will continue undiminished and may be exercised from time to time as Lender may elect until all amounts owing on this Note have been paid in full. Borrower waives any conflict of interest that an attorney hired by Lender may have in acting on behalf of Borrower in confessing judgment against Borrower while such attorney is retained by Lender. Borrower expressly consents to such attorney acting for Borrower in confessing judgment.

 

DISHONORED ITEM FEE. Borrower will pay a fee to Lender of $15.00 if Borrower makes a payment on Borrower’s loan and the check or preauthorized charge with which Borrower pays is later dishonored.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts.

 

LINE OF CREDIT. This Note evidences a revolving line of credit. Advances under this Note, as well as directions for payment from Borrower’s accounts, may be requested orally or in writing by Borrower or by an authorized person. Lender may, but need not, require that all oral requests be confirmed in writing. Borrower agrees to be liable for all sums either: (A) advanced in accordance with the instructions of an authorized person or (B) credited to any of Borrower’s accounts with Lender. The unpaid principal balance owing on this Note at any time may be evidenced by endorsements on this Note or by Lender’s internal records, including daily computer print-outs. Lender will have no obligation to advance funds under this Note if: (A) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this Note or any agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender, including any agreement made in connection with the signing of this Note; (B) Borrower or any guarantor ceases doing business or is insolvent; (C) any guarantor seeks, claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such guarantor’s guarantee of this Note or any other loan with Lender; (D) Borrower has applied funds provided pursuant to this Note for purposes other than those authorized by Lender; or (E) Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower agrees to furnish from time to time on the request of the Lender true and complete financial statements and such other information as the Lender may reasonably require.

 

PROCESSING FEE. Borrower shall pay to Lender on the date of this Note a processing fee in the amount of $0.00. Lender and Borrower agree that the fee shall be fully earned by Lender on the date of this Note.

 

SPECIAL LIBO RATE PROVISION. In the event that Lender reasonably determines that by reason of (a) any change arising after the date of this Note affecting the interbank eurocurrency market or affecting the position of Lender with respect to such market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rates by reference to which the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate then being determined is to be fixed, (b) any change arising after the date of this Note in any applicable law or governmental rule, regulation or order (or any interpretation thereof, including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation or order), or (c) any other circumstance affecting Lender or the interbank eurocurrency market (such as, but not limited to, official reserve requirements required by Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate plus the applicable spread shall not represent the effective pricing to Lender of accruing interest based upon the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate, then, and in any such event, the accrual of interest hereunder based upon the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate shall be suspended until Lender shall notify Borrower that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and beginning on the date of such suspension interest shall accrue hereunder at a variable rate of interest per annum, which shall change in the manner set forth below, equal to           percentage points (which shall be 0.00 percentage points, unless completed) in excess of the

Prime Commercial Rate (as hereinafter defined).

 

In the event that on any date Lender shall have reasonably determined that accruing interest hereunder based upon the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate has become unlawful by compliance by Lender in good faith with any law, governmental rule, regulation or order, then, and in any such event, Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower. In such case, when required by law, interest shall accrue hereunder at a variable rate of interest per annum, which shall change in the manner set forth below, equal to            percentage points (which shall be 0.00 percentage points, unless completed) in excess of the Prime Commercial Rate.

 

As used herein, Prime Commercial Rate shall mean the rate established by Lender from time to time based on its consideration of economic, money market, business and competitive factors, and it is not necessarily Lender’s most favored rate. Subject to any maximum or minimum interest rate limitation specified herein or by applicable law, any variable rate of interest on the obligation evidenced hereby based upon the Prime Commercial Rate shall change automatically without notice to Borrower immediately with each change in the Prime Commercial Rate with any change thereto effective as of the opening of business on the day of the change. If during any period of time while interest is accruing hereunder based upon the Prime Commercial Rate the obligation evidenced by this Note is not paid at maturity, whether maturity occurs by lapse of time, demand, acceleration or otherwise, the unpaid principal balance and any unpaid interest thereon shall, thereafter until paid, bear interest at a rate equal to              percentage points (which shall be 0.00 percentage points, unless completed) in excess of the rate indicated in the immediately preceding two paragraphs.

 

If, due to (a) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation, (b) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other public authority (whether or not having the force of law), or (c) the failure of Borrower to pay any amount when required by the terms of this Note, there shall be any loss or increase in the cost to Lender of accruing interest hereunder based upon the Daily Fluctuating LIBO Rate, then Borrower agrees that Borrower shall, from time to time, upon demand by Lender, pay to Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate Lender for such loss or increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such loss or increase cost, submitted to Borrower by Lender, shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the correctness of such amount.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY THE USA PATRIOT ACT. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each entity or person who opens an account or establishes a relationship with the Lender.  What this means: When an entity or person opens an account or establishes a relationship with the Lender, the Lender may ask for the name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow the Lender to identify the entity or person who opens an account or establishes a relationship with the Lender. The Lender may also ask to see identifying documents for the entity or person.

 

SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. The terms of this Note shall be binding upon Borrower, and upon Borrower’s heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. If any part of this Note cannot be enforced, this fact will not affect the rest of the Note. Borrower does not agree or intend to pay, and Lender does not agree or intend to contract for, charge, collect, take, reserve or receive (collectively referred to herein as "charge or collect"), any amount in the nature of interest or in the nature of a fee for this loan, which would in any way or event (including demand, prepayment, or acceleration) cause Lender to charge or collect more for this loan than the maximum Lender would be permitted to charge or collect by federal law or the law of the State of Ohio (if applicable).  Any such excess interest or unauthorized fee shall, instead of anything stated to the contrary, be applied first to reduce the principal balance of this loan, and when the principal has been paid in full, be refunded to Borrower. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights or remedies under this Note without losing them. Borrower and any other person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent allowed by law, waive presentment, demand for payment, and notice of dishonor.  Upon any change in the terms of this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party who signs this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or endorser, shall be released from liability. All such parties agree that Lender may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan or release any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect Lender's security interest in the collateral; and take any other action deemed necessary by Lender without the consent of or notice to anyone. All such parties also agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made. The obligations of this Note are joint and several.

 

2



 

PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE, INCLUDING THE VARIABLE INTEREST RATE PROVISIONS. BORROWER AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE NOTE.

 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE.

 

NOTICE:   FOR THIS NOTICE “YOU” MEANS THE BORROWER AND “CREDITOR” AND “HIS” MEANS LENDER.

 

WARNING - - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

QUALITY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Richard A. Drexler, Chief Executive Officer of
Quality Products, Inc.

 

 

 

3



 

BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Principal

 

Loan Date

 

Maturity

 

Loan No

 

Call / Coll

 

Account

 

Officer

 

Initials

 

$

1,300,000.00

 

03-18-2004

 

02-28-2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing “ * * * ” has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

 

Borrower:

 

Quality Products, Inc.
2222 South Third Street
Columbus, OH 43207

 

Lender:

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Columbus Commercial Banking
P.O. Box 341470 - HZ0325
Columbus, OH ###-###-####

 

THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT dated March 18, 2004, is made and executed between Quality Products, Inc. (“Borrower”) and THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK (“Lender”) on the following terms and conditions. Borrower has received prior commercial loans from Lender or has applied to Lender for a commercial loan or loans or other financial accommodations, including those which may be described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement (“Loan”). Borrower understands and agrees that: (A) in granting, renewing, or extending any Loan, Lender is relying upon Borrower’s representations, warranties, and agreements as set forth in this Agreement; (B) the granting, renewing, or extending of any Loan by Lender at all times shall be subject to Lender’s sole judgment and discretion; and (C) all such Loans shall be and remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

TERM. This Agreement shall be effective as of March 18, 2004, and shall continue in full force and effect until such time as all of Borrower’s Loans in favor of Lender have been paid in full, including principal, interest, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, and other fees and charges, or until such time as the parties may agree in writing to terminate this Agreement.

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH ADVANCE. Lender’s obligation to make the initial Advance and each subsequent Advance under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment to Lender’s satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Related Documents.

 

Loan Documents. Borrower shall provide to Lender the following documents for the Loan: (1) the Note; (2) Security Agreements granting to Lender security interests in the Collateral; (3) financing statements and all other documents perfecting Lender’s Security Interests; (4) evidence of insurance as required below; (5) guaranties; (6) together with all such Related Documents as Lender may require for the Loan; all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and Lender’s counsel.

 

Borrower’s Authorization. Borrower shall have provided in form and substance satisfactory to Lender properly certified resolutions, duly authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Note and the Related Documents. In addition, Borrower shall have provided such other resolutions, authorizations, documents and instruments as Lender or its counsel, may require.

 

Payment of Fees and Expenses. Borrower shall have paid to Lender all fees, charges, and other expenses which are then due and payable as specified in this Agreement or any Related Document.

 

Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, in the Related Documents, and in any document or certificate delivered to Lender under this Agreement are true and correct.

 

No Event of Default. There shall not exist at the time of any Advance a condition which would constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement or under any Related Document.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender, as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of each disbursement of loan proceeds, as of the date of any renewal, extension or modification of any Loan, and at all times any Indebtedness exists:

 

Organization. Borrower is a corporation for profit which is, and at all times shall be, duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware. Borrower is duly authorized to transact business in the State of Ohio and Borrower maintains an office at 2222 South Third Street, Columbus, OH 43207. Unless Borrower has designated otherwise in writing, the principal office is the office at which Borrower keeps its books and records including its records concerning the Collateral. Borrower will notify Lender prior to any change in the location of Borrower’s state of organization or any change in Borrower’s name.

 

Assumed Business Names. Borrower has filed or recorded all documents or filings required by law relating to all assumed business names used by Borrower. Excluding the name of Borrower, the following is a complete list of all assumed business names under which Borrower does business: None.

 

Authorization. Borrower’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all the Related Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action by Borrower and do not conflict with, result in a violation of, or constitute a default under (1) any provision of Borrower’s articles of incorporation or organization, or bylaws, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon Borrower or (2) any law, governmental regulation, court decree, or order applicable to Borrower or to Borrower’s properties.

 

Properties. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as previously disclosed in Borrower’s financial statements or in writing to Lender and as accepted by Lender, and except for property tax liens for taxes not presently due and payable, Borrower owns and has good title to all of Borrower’s properties free and clear of all liens and security interests, and has not executed any security documents or financing statements relating to such properties. All of Borrower’s properties are titled in Borrower’s legal name, and Borrower has not used or filed a financing statement under any other name for at least the last five (5) years.

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, Borrower will:

 

Notices of Claims and Litigation. Promptly inform Lender in writing of (1) all material adverse changes in Borrower’s financial condition, and (2) all existing and all threatened litigation, claims, investigations, administrative proceedings or similar actions affecting Borrower or any Guarantor which could materially affect the financial condition of Borrower or the financial condition of any Guarantor.

 

Financial Records. Maintain its books and records in accordance with accounting principles acceptable to Lender, applied on a consistent basis, and permit Lender to examine and audit Borrower’s books and records at all reasonable times.

 

Financial Statements. Furnish Lender with such financial statements and other related information at such frequencies and in such detail as Lender may reasonably request.

 

Guaranties. Prior to disbursement of any Loan proceeds, furnish executed guaranties of the Loans in favor of Lender, executed by the guarantors named below, on Lender’s forms, and in the amounts and under the conditions set forth in those guaranties.

 

Names of Guarantors

 

Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

QPI Multipress, Inc.

 

Unlimited

 

Columbus Jack Corporation

 

Unlimited

 

A-1 Specialty & Gov’t Packaging Inc.

 

Unlimited

 

 

Loan Proceeds. Use all Loan proceeds solely for Borrower's business operations, unless specifically consented to the contrary by Lender in writing.

 

Taxes, Charges and Liens. Pay and discharge when due all of its indebtedness and obligations, including without limitation, all assessments, taxes, governmental charges, levies and liens, of every kind and nature, imposed upon Borrower or its properties, income, or profits, prior to the date on which penalties would attach, and all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any of Borrower's properties, income or profits.

 

Performance. Perform and comply, in a timely manner, with all terms, conditions, and provisions set forth in this agreement, in the Related Documents, and in all other instruments and agreements between Borrower and Lender. Borrower shall notify Lender immediately in writing of any default in connection with any agreement.

 

Operations. Maintain executive and management personnel with substantially the same qualifications and experience as the present executive and management personnel; provide written notice to Lender of any change in executive and management personnel; conduct its business affairs in a reasonable and prudent manner.

 

Compliance with Governmental Requirements. Comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, of all governmental authorities applicable to the conduct of Borrower's properties, businesses and operations, and to the use or occupancy of the Collateral, including without limitation, the Americans With Disabilities Act. Borrower may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance, or regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Borrower has notified Lender in writing prior to doing so and so long as, in Lender's sole opinoin, Lender's interests in the Collateral are not jeopardized. Lender may require Borrower to post adequate security or surety bond, reasonably satisfactory to Lender, to protect Lender's interest.



 

Inspection.  Permit employees or agents of Lender at any reasonable time to inspect any and all Collateral for the Loan or Loans and Borrower’s other properties and to examine or audit Borrower’s books, accounts, and records and to make copies and memoranda of Borrower’s books, accounts, and records. If Borrower now or at any time hereafter maintains any records (including without limitation computer generated records and computer software programs for the generation of such records) in the possession of a third party, Borrower, upon request of Lender, shall notify such party to permit Lender free access to such records at all reasonable times and to provide Lender with copies of any records it may request, all at Borrower’s expense.

 

LENDER’S EXPENDITURES. If any action or proceeding is commenced that would materially affect Lender’s interest in the Collateral or if Borrower fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement or any Related Documents, including but not limited to Borrower’s failure to discharge or pay when due any amounts Borrower is required to discharge or pay under this Agreement or any Related Documents, Lender on Borrower’s behalf may (but shall not be obligated to) take any action that Lender deems appropriate on any Collateral and paying all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving any Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Borrower. All such expenses will become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender’s option, will (A) be payable on demand; (B) be added to the balance of the Note and be apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due during either (1) the term of any applicable insurance policy; or (2) the remaining term of the Note; or (C) be treated as a balloon payment which will be due and payable at the Note’s maturity.

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants and agrees with Lender that while this Agreement is in effect, Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of Lender:

 

Continuity of Operations. (1) Engage in any business activities substantially different than those in which Borrower is presently engaged, (2) cease operations, liquidate, merge, transfer, acquire or consolidate with any other entity, change its name, dissolve or transfer or sell Collateral out of the ordinary course of business, or (3) pay any dividends on Borrower’s stock (other than dividends payable in its stock), provided, however that notwithstanding the foregoing, but only so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the payment of dividends, if Borrower is a “Subchapter S Corporation” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), Borrower may pay cash dividends on its stock to its shareholders from time to time in amounts necessary to enable the shareholders to pay income taxes and make estimated income tax payments to satisfy their liabilities under federal and state law which arise solely from their status as Shareholders of a Subchapter S Corporation because of their ownership of shares of Borrower’s stock, or purchase or retire any of Borrower’s outstanding shares or alter or amend Borrower’s capital structure.

 

Agreements. Borrower will not enter into any agreement containing any provisions which would be violated or breached by the performance of Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement or in connection herewith.

 

CESSATION OF ADVANCES. If Lender has made any commitment to make any Loan to Borrower, whether under this Agreement or under any other agreement, Lender shall have no obligation to make Loan advances or to disburse Loan proceeds if: (A) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender; (B) Borrower or any guarantor dies, becomes incompetent or, becomes insolvent, files a petition in bankruptcy or similar proceedings, or is adjudged a bankrupt; (C) there occurs a material adverse change in Borrower’s financial condition, in the financial condition of any guarantor, or in the value of any collateral securing any Loan; or (D) any guarantor seeks, claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such guarantor’s guaranty of the Loan or any other loan with Lender; or (E) Lender in good faith deems itself insecure, even though no Event of Default shall have occurred.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the Indebtedness against any and all such accounts.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under the Loan.

 

Other Default. Borrower fails to comply with any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any of the Related Documents.

 

False Statements. Any representation or statement made by Borrower to Lender is false in any material respect.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrower’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the Loan.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any Guaranty of the Indebtedness.

 

Change in Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25 %) or more of the common stock of Borrower.

 

Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

EFFECT OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. If any Event of Default shall occur, except where otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Related Documents, all commitments and obligations of Lender under this Agreement immediately will terminate (including any obligation to make further Loan Advances or disbursements), and, at Lender’s option, all Indebtedness immediately will become due and payable, all without notice of any kind to Borrower, except that in the case of an Event of Default of the type described in the “Insolvency” subsection above, such acceleration shall be automatic and not optional. In addition, Lender shall have all the rights and remedies provided in the Related Documents or available at law, in equity, or otherwise. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, all of Lender’s rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall not exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or to take action to perform an obligation of Borrower or of any Grantor shall not affect Lender’s right to declare a default and to exercise its rights and remedies.

 

TANGIBLE NET WORTH. Borrower shall maintain tangible net worth of not less than $1,100,000.00 at all times during the current fiscal year. Thereafter, as of the first day of each fiscal year commencing after the date of this Agreement, Borrower shall maintain tangible net worth in an amount equal to the sum of (a) the tangible net worth required hereunder for the preceding fiscal year, plus (b) fifty percent (50%) of the net income earned during the preceding fiscal year (but no less than $0.00).

 

ANNUAL REVIEWED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BORROWER. Borrower shall furnish Lender with, as soon as available, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, Borrower’s financial statement, including a balance sheet and income statement for the year ended, reviewed by an independent certified public accountant satisfactory to Lender.

 

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall furnish Lender with, as soon as available, but in no event later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, Borrower’s financial statement, including a balance sheet and income statement and statement of cash flow for the period ended, prepared by Borrower and certified by Borrower's president, chief financial officer or other officer or person acceptable to Lender as fairly representing Borrower's financial condition and results of operations as of the end of such period.

 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AGING REPORT. Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal month, a report signed by Borrower's president, chief financial officer or other office or person acceptable to Lender setting forth the number and dollar total of all accounts receivable, the number and dollar total past due for not more than 30 days, the number and dollar total past due for not more than 60 days, the number and dollar total past due for not more than 90 days, and the number and dollar total past due for more than 90 days.

 

FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Commencing as of March 31, 2004, Borrower shall at all times maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00. Commencing as of March 31, 2005, Borrower shall at all times maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.00. Commencing as of September 30, 2005, Borrower shall at all times maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of at least 1.20 to 1.00.  The Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of the Borrower shall be determined as of the last day of each quarter for the twelve month period ending on such date. As used herein, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall mean the ratio of EBITDAR (as defined below) to the sum of (1) interest expense, (2) current maturities of long term debt, and capitalized leases, and (3) lease and rental expense, as determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the immediately preceding four (4) fiscal quarters ending on said day. As used herein, EBITDAR shall mean the sum of Borrower's net income, plus (to the extent deducted in computing net income) interest expense, plus any provision for federal, state and local income taxes, plus depreciation expense, plus amortization expense, plus lease and rental expense, minus capital expenditures and dividends and distributions to stockholders.

 

DEPOSIT ACCOUNT. Borrower shall maintain all operating deposit accounts with Lender.

 

NO MERGER OR ACQUISITIONS. Borrower will not without Lender's prior written consent consolidate with or merge into any other entity, or permit any other entity to consolidate with or merge into it.

2



 

LOANS TO OTHERS.  At all times during the term of this Agreement, Borrower shall not have outstanding total loans and advances to other persond or entities in excess of $250,000.00 in the aggregate.

 

DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized words and terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Agreement. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, all references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America. Words and terms used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code. Accounting words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the date of this Agreement:

 

Advance. The word “Advance” means a disbursement of Loan funds made, or to be made, to Borrower or on Borrower’s behalf on a line of credit or multiple advance basis under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

Agreement. The word “Agreement” means this Business Loan Agreement, as this Business Loan Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this Business Loan Agreement from time to time.

 

Borrower. The word “Borrower” means Quality Products, Inc. and includes all co-signers and co-makers signing the Note.

 

Collateral. The word “Collateral” means all property and assets granted as collateral security for a Loan, whether real or personal property, whether granted directly or indirectly, whether granted now or in the future, and whether granted in the form of a security interest, mortgage, collateral mortgage, deed of trust, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien, charge, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

Event of Default. The words “Event of Default” mean any of the events of default set forth in this Agreement in the default section of this Agreement.

 

Grantor. The word “Grantor” means each and all of the persons or entities granting a Security Interest in any Collateral for the Loan, including without limitation all Borrowers granting such a Security Interest.

 

Guarantor. The word “Guarantor” means any guarantor, surety, or accommodation party of any or all of the Loan.

 

Guaranty. The word “Guaranty” means the guaranty from Guarantor to Lender, including without limitation a guaranty of all or part of the Note.

 

Indebtedness. The word “Indebtedness” means the indebtedness evidenced by the Note or Related Documents, including all principal and interest together with all other indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Borrower is responsible under this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents.

 

Lender. The word “Lender” means THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, its successors and assigns.

 

Loan. The word “Loan” means any and all loans and financial accommodations from Lender to Borrower whether now or hereafter existing, and however evidenced, including without limitation those loans and financial accommodations described herein or described on any exhibit or schedule attached to this Agreement from time to time.

 

Note. The word “Note” means the Note executed by Quality Products, Inc. in the principal amount of $1,300,000.00 dated March 18, 2004, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of, and substitutions for the note or credit agreement.

 

Related Documents. The words “Related Documents” mean all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds, collateral mortgages, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Loan.

 

Security Agreement. The words “Security Agreement” mean and include without limitation any agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, understandings or other agreements, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise, evidencing, governing, representing, or creating a Security Interest.

 

Security Interest. The words “Security Interest” mean, without limitation, any and all types of collateral security, present and future, whether in the form of a lien, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of trust, security deed, assignment, pledge, crop pledge, chattel mortgage, collateral chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

 

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT IS DATED MARCH 18, 2004.

 

BORROWER:

 

 

QUALITY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

By:

 

 

Richard A. Drexler, Chief Executive Officer of

Quality Products, Inc.

 

LENDER:

 

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signer

 

3



 

COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Principal

 

Loan Date

 

Maturity

 

Loan No

 

Call / Coll

 

Account

 

Officer

 

Initials

 

$

1,300,000.00

 

03-18-2004

 

02-28-2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References in the shaded area are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing “ * * * ” has been omitted due to text length limitations.

 

 

Grantor:

 

Quality Products, Inc.
2222 South Third Street
Columbus, OH 43207

 

Lender:

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Columbus Commercial Banking
P. O. Box 341470 - HZ0325
Columbus, OH ###-###-####

 

THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT dated March 18, 2004, is made and executed between Quality Products, Inc. (“Grantor”) and THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK (“Lender”).

 

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. For valuable consideration, Grantor grants to Lender a security interest in the Collateral to secure the Indebtedness and agrees that Lender shall have the rights stated in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral, in addition to all other rights which Lender may have by law.

 

COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION. The word “Collateral” as used in this Agreement means the following described property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and wherever located, in which Grantor is giving to Lender a security interest for the payment of the Indebtedness and performance of all other obligations under the Note and this Agreement:

 

All inventory, equipment, accounts (including but not limited to all health-care-insurance receivables), chattel paper, instruments (including but not limited to all promissory notes), letter-of-credit rights, letters of credit, documents, deposit accounts, investment property, money, other rights to payment and performance, and general intangibles (including but not limited to all software and all payment intangibles); all oil, gas and other minerals before extraction; all oil, gas, other minerals and accounts constituting as-extracted collateral; all fixtures; all timber to be cut; all attachments, accessions, accessories, fittings, increases, tools, parts, repairs, supplies, and commingled goods relating to the foregoing property, and all additions, replacements of and substitutions for all or any part of the foregoing property; all insurance refunds relating to the foregoing property; all good will relating to the foregoing property; all records and data and embedded software relating to the foregoing property, and all equipment, inventory and software to utilize, create, maintain and process any such records and data on electronic media; and all supporting obligations relating to the foregoing property; all whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or whether now or hereafter subject to any rights in the foregoing property; and all products and proceeds (including but not limited to all insurance payments) of or relating to the foregoing property.

 

In addition, the word “Collateral” also includes all the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and wherever located:

 

(A) All accessions, attachments, accessories, tools, parts, supplies, replacements of and additions to any of the collateral described herein, whether added now or later.

 

(B) All products and produce of any of the property described in this Collateral section.

 

(C) All accounts, general intangibles, instruments, rents, monies, payments, and all other rights, arising out of a sale, lease, consignment or other disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral section.

 

(D) All proceeds (including insurance proceeds) from the sale, destruction, loss, or other disposition of any of the property described in this Collateral section, and sums due from a third party who has damaged or destroyed the Collateral or from that party’s insurer, whether due to judgment, settlement or other process.

 

(E) All records and data relating to any of the property described in this Collateral section, whether in the form of a writing, photograph, microfilm, microfiche, or electronic media, together with all of Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to all computer software required to utilize, create, maintain, and process any such records or data on electronic media.

 

Despite any other provision of this Agreement, Lender is not granted, and will not have, a nonpurchase money security interest in household goods, to the extent such a security interest would be prohibited by applicable law. In addition, if because of the type of any Property, Lender is required to give a notice of the right to cancel under Truth in Lending for the Indebtedness, then Lender will not have a security interest in such Collateral unless and until such a notice is given.

 

CROSS-COLLATERALIZATION. In addition to the Note, this Agreement secures all obligations, debts and liabilities, plus interest thereon, of Grantor to Lender, or any one or more of them, as well as all claims by Lender against Grantor or any one or more of them, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether related or unrelated to the purpose of the Note, whether voluntary or otherwise, whether due or not due, direct or indirect, determined or undetermined, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated whether Grantor may be liable individually or jointly with others, whether obligated as guarantor, surety, accommodation party or otherwise, and whether recovery upon such amounts may be or hereafter may become barred by any statute of limitations, and whether the obligation to repay such amounts may be or hereafter may become otherwise unenforceable.

 

RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Grantor’s accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Grantor holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Grantor may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Grantor authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the Indebtedness against any and all such accounts.

 

GRANTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE COLLATERAL. With respect to the Collateral, Grantor represents and promises to Lender that:

 

Perfection of Security Interest. Grantor agrees to execute financing statements and to take whatever other actions are requested by Lender to perfect and continue Lender’s security interest in the Collateral. Upon request of Lender, Grantor will deliver to Lender any and all of the documents evidencing or constituting the Collateral, and Grantor will note Lender’s interest upon any and all chattel paper if not delivered to Lender for possession by Lender.

 

Notices to Lender. Grantor will promptly notify Lender in writing at Lender’s address shown above (or such other addresses as Lender may designate from time to time) prior to any (1) change in Grantor’s name; (2) change in Grantor’s assumed business name(s); (3) change in the management of the Corporation Grantor; (4) change in the authorized signer(s); (5) change in Grantor’s principal office address; (6) change in Grantor’s state of organization; (7) conversion of Grantor to a new or different type of business entity; or (8) change in any other aspect of Grantor that directly or indirectly relates to any agreements between Grantor and Lender. No change in Grantor’s name or state of organization will take effect until after Lender has received notice.

 

No Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement will not violate any law or agreement governing Grantor or to which Grantor is a party, and its certificate or articles of incorporation and bylaws do not prohibit any term or condition of this Agreement.

 

Enforceability of Collateral. To the extent the Collateral consists of accounts, chattel paper, or general intangibles, as defined by the Uniform Commerical Code, the Collateral is enforceable in accordance with its terms, is genuine, and fully complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning form, content and manner of preparation and execution, and all persons appearing to be obligated on the Collateral have authority and capacity to contract and are in fact obligated as they appear to be on the Collateral. At the time any Account becomes subject to a security interest in favor of Lender, the Account shall be a good and valid account representing an undisputed, bona fide indebtedness incurred by the account debtor, for merchandise held subject to delivery instructions or previously shipped or delivered pursuant to a contract of sale, or for services previously performed by Grantor with or for the account debtor. So long as this Agreement remains in effect, Grantor shall not, without Lender's prior written consent, compromise, settle, adjust, or extend payment under or with regard to any such Accounts. There shall be no setoffs or counterclaims against any of the Collateral, and no agreement shall have been made under which any deductions or discounts may be claimed concerning the Collateral except those disclosed to Lender in writing.

 

Location of Collateral. Except in the ordinary course of Grantor's business, Grantor agrees to keep the Collateral (or to the extent the Collateral consists of intangible property such as accounts or general intangibles, the records concerning the Collateral) at Grantor's address shown above or at such other locations as are acceptable to Lender. Upon Lender's request, Grantor will deliver to Lender in form satisfactory to Lender a schedule of real properties and Collateral locations relating to Grantor's operations, including without limitation the following: (1) all real property Grantor owns or is purchasing; (2) all real property Grantor is renting or leasing; (3) all storage facilities Grantor owns, rents, leases, or uses, and (4) all other properies where Collateral is or may be located.

 

Removal of the Collateral. Except in the ordinary course of Grantor's business, including the sales of inventory, Grantor shall not remove the Collateral from its existing location without Lender's prior written consent. To the extent that the Collateral consists of vehicles, or other titled property, Grantor shall not take or permit any action which would require application for certificates of title for the vehicles

 



 

outside the State of Ohio, without Lender’s prior written consent. Grantor shall, whenever requested, advise Lender of the exact location of the Collateral.

 

Transactions Involving Collateral. Except for inventory sold or accounts collected in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business, or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, Grantor shall not sell, offer to sell, or otherwise transfer or dispose of the Collateral. While Grantor is not in default under this Agreement, Grantor may sell inventory, but only in the ordinary course of its business and only to buyers who qualify as a buyer in the ordinary course of business. A sale in the ordinary course of Grantor’s business does not include a transfer in partial or total satisfaction of a debt or any bulk sale. Grantor shall not pledge, mortgage, encumber or otherwise permit the Collateral to be subject to any lien, security interest, encumbrance, or charge, other than the security interest provided for in this Agreement, without the prior written consent of Lender. This includes security interests even if junior in right to the security interests granted under this Agreement. Unless waived by Lender, all proceeds from any disposition of the Collateral (for whatever reason) shall be held in trust for Lender and shall not be commingled with any other funds; provided however, this requirement shall not constitute consent by Lender to any sale or other disposition. Upon receipt, Grantor shall immediately deliver any such proceeds to Lender.

 

Title. Grantor represents and warrants to Lender that Grantor holds good and marketable title to the Collateral, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except for the lien of this Agreement. No financing statement covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office other than those which reflect the security interest created by this Agreement or to which Lender has specifically consented. Grantor shall defend Lender’s rights in the Collateral against the claims and demands of all other persons.

 

Repairs and Maintenance. Grantor agrees to keep and maintain, and to cause others to keep and maintain, the Collateral in good order, repair and condition at all times while this Agreement remains in effect. Grantor further agrees to pay when due all claims for work done on, or services rendered or material furnished in connection with the Collateral so that no lien or encumbrance may ever attach to or be filed against the Collateral.

 

Inspection of Collateral. Lender and Lender’s designated representatives and agents shall have the right at all reasonable times to examine and inspect the Collateral wherever located.

 

Taxes, Assessments and Liens. Grantor will pay when due all taxes, assessments and liens upon the Collateral, its use or operation, upon this Agreement, upon any promissory note or notes evidencing the Indebtedness, or upon any of the other Related Documents. Grantor may withhold any such payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized in Lender’s sole opinion. If the Collateral is subjected to a lien which is not discharged within fifteen (15) days, Grantor shall deposit with Lender cash, a sufficient corporate surety bond or other security satisfactory to Lender in an amount adequate to provide for the discharge of the lien plus any interest, costs, attorneys’ fees or other charges that could accrue as a result of foreclosure or sale of the Collateral. In any contest Grantor shall defend itself and Lender and shall satisfy any final adverse judgment before enforcement against the Collateral. Grantor shall name Lender as an additional obligee under any surety bond furnished in the contest proceedings. Grantor further agrees to furnish Lender with evidence that such taxes, assessments, and governmental and other charges have been paid in full and in a timely manner. Grantor may withhold any such payment or may elect to contest any lien if Grantor is in good faith conducting an appropriate proceeding to contest the obligation to pay and so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral is not jeopardized.

 

Compliance with Governmental Requirements. Grantor shall comply promptly with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of all governmental authorities, now or hereafter in effect, applicable to the ownership, production, disposition, or use of the Collateral, including all laws or regulations relating to the undue erosion of highly-erodible land or relating to the conversion of wetlands for the production of an agricultural product or commodity. Grantor may contest in good faith any such law, ordinance or regulation and withhold compliance during any proceeding, including appropriate appeals, so long as Lender’s interest in the Collateral, in Lender’s opinion, is not jeopardized.

 

Hazardous Substances. Grantor represents and warrants that the Collateral never has been, and never will be so long as this Agreement remains a lien on the Collateral, used in violation of any Environmental Laws or for the generation, manufacture, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance. The representations and warranties contained herein are based on Grantor’s due diligence in investigating the Collateral for Hazardous Substances. Grantor hereby (1) releases and waives any future claims against Lender for indemnity or contribution in the event Grantor becomes liable for cleanup or other costs under any Environmental Laws, and (2) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lender against any and all claims and losses resulting from a breach of this provision of this Agreement. This obligation to indemnify shall survive the payment of the Indebtedness and the satisfaction of this Agreement.

 

Maintenance of Casualty Insurance. Grantor shall procure and maintain all risks insurance, including without limitation fire, theft and liability coverage together with such other insurance as Lender may require with respect to the Collateral, in form, amounts, coverages and basis reasonably acceptable to Lender and issued by a company or companies reasonably acceptable to Lender. Grantor, upon request of Lender, will deliver to Lender from time to time the policies or certificates of insurance in form satisfactory to Lender, including stipulations that coverages will not be cancelled or diminished without at least twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to Lender and not including any disclaimer of the insurer’s liability for failure to give such a notice. Each insurance policy also shall include an endorsement providing that coverage in favor of Lender will not be impaired in any way by any act, omission or default of Grantor or any other person. In connection with all policies covering assets in which Lender holds or is offered a security interest, Grantor will provide Lender with such loss payable or other endorsements as Lender may require. If Grantor at any time fails to obtain or maintain any insurance as required under this Agreement, Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) obtain such insurance as Lender deems appropriate, including if Lender so chooses “single interest insurance,” which will cover only Lender’s interest in the Collateral.

 

Application of Insurance Proceeds. Grantor shall promptly notify Lender of any loss or damage to the Collateral. Lender may make proof of loss if Grantor fails to do so within fifteen (15) days of the casualty. All proceeds of any insurance on the Collateral, including accrued proceeds thereon, shall be held by Lender as part of the Collateral. If Lender consents to repair or replacement of the damaged or destroyed Collateral, Lender shall, upon satisfactory proof of expenditure, pay or reimburse Grantor from the proceeds for the reasonable cost of repair or restoration. If Lender does not consent to repair or replacement of the Collateral, Lender shall retain a sufficient amount of the proceeds to pay all of the Indebtedness, and shall pay the balance to Grantor. Any proceeds which have not been disbursed within six (6) months after their receipt and which Grantor has not committed to the repair or restoration of the Collateral shall be used to prepay the Indebtedness.

 

Insurance Reserves. Lender may require Grantor to maintain with Lender reserves for payment of insurance premiums, which reserves shall be created by monthly payments from Grantor of a sum estimated by Lender to be sufficient to produce, at least fifteen (15) days before the premium due date, amounts at least equal to the insurance premiums to be paid. If fifteen (15) days before payment is due, the reserve funds are insufficient, Grantor shall upon demand pay any deficiency to Lender. The reserve funds shall be held by Lender as a general deposit and shall constitute a non-interest-bearing account which Lender may satisfy by payment of the insurance premiums required to be paid by Grantor as they become due. Lender does not hold the reserve funds in trust for Grantor, and Lender is not the agent of Grantor for payment of the insurance premiums required to be paid by Grantor. The responsibility for the payment of premiums shall remain Grantor’s sole responsibility.

 

Insurance Reports. Grantor, upon request of Lender, shall furnish to Lender reports on each existing policy of insurance showing such Information as Lender may reasonably request including the following: (1) the name of the insurer; (2) the risks insured; (3) the amount of the policy; (4) the property insured; (5) the then current value on the basis of which insurance has been obtained and the manner of determining the value; and (6) the expiration date of the policy.  In addition, Grantor shall upon request by Lender (however not more often than annually) have an Independent appraiser satisfactory to Lender determine, as applicable, the cash value or replacement cost of the Collateral.

 

Financing Statements. Grantor authorizes Lender to file a UCC-1 financing statement, or alternatively, a copy of this Agreement to perfect Lender's security interest.  At Lender's request, Grantor additionally agrees to sign all other documents that are necessary to perfect, protect, and continue Lender's security interest in the Property.  Grantor will pay all filing fees, title transfer fees, and other fees and costs involved unless prohibited by law or unless Lender is required by law to pay such fees and costs.  Grantor irrevocably appoints Lender to execute financing statements and documents of title in Grantor's name and to execute all documents necessary to transfer title if there is a default.  Lender may file a copy of this Agreement as a financing statement.  If Grantor changes Grantor's name or address, of the name or address of any person granting a security interest under this Agreement changes, Grantor will promptly notify the Lender of such change.

 

GRANTOR'S RIGHT TO POSSESSION AND TO COLLECT ACCOUNTS.  Until default and except as otherwise provided below with respect to accounts, Grantor may have possession of the tangible personal property, and beneficial use of all the Collateral and may use it in any lawful manner not inconsistant with this Agreementor the Related Documents, provided that Grantor's right to possession and beneficial use shall not apply to any Collateral where possession of the Collateral by Lender is required by law to perfect Lender's security interest in such Collateral.  Until otherwise notified by Lender, Grantor may collect any of the Collateral consisting of accounts.  At any time and even though no Event of Default exists.  Lender may exercise its rights to collect the accounts and to notify account debtors to make payments directly to Lender for application to the indebtedness.  If Lender at any time has possession of any Collateral, whether before or after an Event of Default; Lender shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral if Lender takes such action for that purpose as Grantor shall request or as Lender, in Lender’s sole discretion, shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, but failure to honor any request

 

2



 

by Grantor shall not of itself be deemed to be a failure to exercise reasonable care. Lender shall not be required to take any steps necessary to preserve any rights in the Collateral against prior parties, nor to protect, preserve or maintain any security interest given to secure the Indebtedness.

 

LENDER’S EXPENDITURES. If any action or proceeding is commenced that would materially affect Lender’s interest in the Collateral or if Grantor fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement or any Related Documents, including but not limited to Grantor’s failure to discharge or pay when due any amounts Grantor is required to discharge or pay under this Agreement or any Related Documents, Lender on Grantor’s behalf may (but shall not be obligated to) take any action that Lender deems appropriate, including but not limited to discharging or paying all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances and other claims, at any time levied or placed on the Collateral and paying all costs for insuring, maintaining and preserving the Collateral. All such expenditures incurred or paid by Lender for such purposes will then bear interest at the rate charged under the Note from the date incurred or paid by Lender to the date of repayment by Grantor. All such expenses will become a part of the Indebtedness and, at Lender’s option, will (A) be payable on demand; (B) be added to the balance of the Note and be apportioned among and be payable with any installment payments to become due during either (1) the term of any applicable insurance policy; or (2) the remaining term of the Note; or (C) be treated as a balloon payment which will be due and payable at the Note’s maturity. The Agreement also will secure payment of these amounts. Such right shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies to which Lender may be entitled upon Default.

 

DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

Payment Default. Grantor fails to make any payment when due under the Indebtedness.

 

Other Defaults. Grantor fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any of the Related Documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Grantor.

 

False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Grantor or on Grantor’s behalf under this Agreement or the Related Documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.

 

Defective Collateralization. This Agreement or any of the Related Documents ceases to be in full force and effect (including failure of any collateral document to create a valid and perfected security interest or lien) at any time and for any reason.

 

Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Grantor’s existence as a going business, the insolvency of Grantor, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Grantor’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Grantor.

 

Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Grantor or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the Indebtedness. This includes a garnishment of any of Grantor’s accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Grantor as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Grantor gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.

 

Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party of any of the Indebtedness or guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party dies or becomes incompetent or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any Guaranty of the Indebtedness.

 

Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Grantor’s financial condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of the Indebtedness is impaired.

 

Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.

 

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT. If an Event of Default occurs under this Agreement, at any time thereafter, Lender shall have all the rights of a secured party under the Ohio Uniform Commercial Code. In addition and without limitation, Lender may exercise any one or more of the following rights and remedies:

 

Accelerate Indebtedness. Lender may declare the entire Indebtedness, including any prepayment penalty which Grantor would be required to pay, immediately due and payable, without notice of any kind to Grantor.

 

Assemble Collateral. Lender may require Grantor to deliver to Lender all or any portion of the Collateral and any and all certificates of title and other documents relating to the Collateral. Lender may require Grantor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to Lender at a place to be designated by Lender. Lender also shall have full power to enter upon the property of Grantor to take possession of and remove the Collateral. If the Collateral contains other goods not covered by this Agreement at the time of repossession, Grantor agrees Lender may take such other goods, provided that Lender makes reasonable efforts to return them to Grantor after repossession.

 

Sell the Collateral. Lender shall have full power to sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise deal with the Collateral or proceeds thereof in Lender’s own name or that of Grantor. Lender may sell the Collateral at public auction or private sale. Unless the Collateral threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, Lender will give Grantor, and other persons as required by law, reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale, or the time after which any private sale or any other disposition of the Collateral is to be made. However, no notice need be provided to any person who, after Event of Default occurs, enters into and authenticates an agreement waiving that person’s right to notification of sale. The requirements of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice is given at least ten (10) days before the time of the sale or disposition. All expenses relating to the disposition of the Collateral, including without limitation the expenses of retaking, holding, insuring, preparing for sale and selling the Collateral, shall become a part of the indebtedness secured by this Agreement and shall be payable on demand, with interest at the Note rate from date of expenditure until repaid.

 

Appoint Receiver. Lender shall have the right to have a receiver appointed to take possession of all or any part of the Collateral, with the power to protect and preserve the Collateral, to operate the Collateral preceding foreclosure or sale, and to collect the Rents from the Collateral and apply the proceeds, over and above the cost of the receivership, against the Indebtedness. The receiver may serve without bond if permitted by law. Lender’s right to the appointment of a receiver shall exist whether or not the apparent value of the Collateral exceeds the Indebtedness by a substantial amount. Employment by Lender shall not disqualify a person from serving as a receiver.

 

Collect Revenues, Apply Accounts. Lender, either itself or through a receiver, may collect the payments, rents, income, and revenues from the Collateral. Lender may at any time in Lender’s discretion transfer any Collateral into Lender’s own name or that of Lender’s nominee and receive the payments, rents, income, and revenues therefrom and hold the same as security for the Indebtedness or apply it to payment of the Indebtedness in such order of preference as Lender may determine. Insofar as the Collateral consists of accounts, general intangibles, insurance policies, instruments, chattel paper, choses in action, or similar property, Lender may demand, collect, receipt for, settle, compromise, adjust, sue for, foreclose, or realize on the Collateral as Lender may determine, whether or not Indebtedness or Collateral is then due. For these purposes, Lender may, on behalf of and in the name of Grantor, receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to Grantor; change any address to which mail and payments are to be sent; and endorse notes, checks, drafts, money orders, documents of title, instruments and items pertaining to payment, shipment, or storage of any Collateral. To facilitate collection, Lender may notify account debtors and obligors on any Collateral to make payments directly to Lender.

 

Obtain Deficiency. If Lender chooses to sell any or all of the Collateral, Lender may obtain a judgment against Grantor for any deficiency remaining on the indebtedness due to Lender after application of all amounts received from the exercise of the rights provided in the Agreement. Grantor shall be liable for a deficiency even if the transaction described in this subsections is a sale of accounts or chattel paper.

 

Other Rights and Remedies. Lender shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor udner the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, as may be amended from time to time. In addition, Lender shall have and may exercise any or all other rights and remedies it may have available at law, in equity, or otherwise.

 

Election of Remedies. Except as may be prohibited by applicable law, all of Lender's rights and remedies, whether evidenced by this Agreement, the Related Documents, or by any other writing, shall be cumulative and may be excercised singularly or concurrently. Election by Lender to pursue any remedy shall exclude pursuit of any other remedy, and an election to make expenditures or take action to perform an obligation of Grantor under this Agreement, after Grantor's failure to perform, shall not affect Lender's right to declare a default and exercise its remedies.

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of this Agreement;

 

Amendments. This agreement, together with any Related Documents, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set forth in this Agreement. No alteration of or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.

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Attorneys’ Fees; Expenses. Grantor agrees to pay upon demand all of Lender’s costs and expenses, including Lender’s attorneys’ fees and Lender’s legal expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help enforce this Agreement, and Grantor shall pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs and expenses include Lender’s attorneys’ fees and legal expenses whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy proceedings (including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment collection services. Grantor also shall pay all court costs and such additional fees as may be directed by the court.

 

Caption Headings. Caption headings in this Agreement are for convenience purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with federal law and the laws of the State of Ohio. This Agreement has been accepted by Lender in the State of Ohio.

 

No Waiver by Lender. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this Agreement unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of a provision of this Agreement shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of Lender’s right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or any other provision of this Agreement. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any course of dealing between Lender and Grantor, shall constitute a waiver of any of Lender’s rights or of any of Grantor’s obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this Agreement, the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required and in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Lender.

 

Notices. Any notice required to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing, and shall be effective when actually delivered, when actually received by telefacsimile (unless otherwise required by law), when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight courier, or, if mailed, when deposited in the United States mail, as first class, certified or registered mail postage prepaid, directed to the addresses shown near the beginning of this Agreement. Any party may change its address for notices under this Agreement by giving formal written notice to the other parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change the party’s address. For notice purposes, Grantor agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of Grantor’s current address. Unless otherwise provided or required by law, if there is more than one Grantor, any notice given by Lender to any Grantor is deemed to be notice given to all Grantors.

 

Power of Attorney. Grantor hereby appoints Lender as Grantor’s irrevocable attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing any documents necessary to perfect, amend, or to continue the security interest granted in this Agreement or to demand termination of filings of other secured parties. Lender may at any time, and without further authorization from Grantor, file a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of any financing statement or of this Agreement for use as a financing statement. Grantor will reimburse Lender for all expenses for the perfection and the continuation of the perfection of Lender’s security interest in the Collateral.

 

Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Agreement to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any circumstance, that finding shall not make the offending provision illegal, invalid, or unenforceable as to any other circumstance. If feasible, the offending provision shall be considered modified so that it becomes legal, valid and enforceable. If the offending provision cannot be so modified, it shall be considered deleted from this Agreement. Unless otherwise required by law, the illegality, invalidity, or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

Successors and Assigns. Subject to any limitations stated in this Agreement on transfer of Grantor’s interest, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and assigns. If ownership of the Collateral becomes vested in a person other than Grantor, Lender, without notice to Grantor, may deal with Grantor’s successors with reference to this Agreement and the Indebtedness by way of forbearance or extension without releasing Grantor from the obligations of this Agreement or liability under the Indebtedness.

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations, warranties, and agreements made by Grantor in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shall be continuing in nature, and shall remain in full force and effect until such time as Grantor’s Indebtedness shall be paid in full.

 

Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.

 

DEFINITIONS. The following capitalized words and terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Agreement. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, all references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America. Words and terms used in the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Words and terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code:

 

Account. The word “Account” means a trade account, account receivable, other receivable, or other right to payment for goods sold or services rendered owing to Grantor (or to a third party grantor acceptable to Lender).

 

Agreement. The word “Agreement” means this Commercial Security Agreement, as this Commercial Security Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to this Commercial Security Agreement from time to time.

 

Borrower. The word “Borrower” means Quality Products, Inc. and includes all co-signers and co-makers signing the Note.

 

Collateral. The word “Collateral” means all of Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to all the Collateral as described in the Collateral Description section of this Agreement.

 

Default. The word “Default” means the Default set forth in this Agreement in the section titled “Default”.

 

Environmental Laws. The words “Environmental Laws” mean any and all state, federal and local statutes, regulations and ordinances relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including without limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq. (“CERCLA”), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-499 (“SARA”), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801, et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., or other applicable state or federal laws, rules, or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

 

Event of Default. The words “Event of Default” mean any of the events of default set forth in this Agreement in the default section of this Agreement.

 

Grantor. The word “Grantor” means Quality Products, Inc..

 

Guaranty. The word “Guaranty” means the guaranty from guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party to Lender, including without limitation a guaranty of all or part of the Note.

 

Hazardous Substances. The words “Hazardous Substances” mean materials that, because of their quantity, concentration or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may cause or pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly used, treated, stored, disposed of, generated, manufactured, transported or otherwise handled. The words “Hazardous Substances” are used in their very broadest sense and include without limitation any and all hazardous or toxic substances, materials or waste as defined by or listed under the Environmental Laws. The term "Hazardous Substances" also includes, without limitation, petroleum and petroleum by-products or any fraction thereof and asbestos.

 

Indebtedness. The word "Indebtedness" means the indebtedness evidenced by the Note or Related Documents, including all principal and interest together with all other indebtedness and costs and expenses for which Grantor is responsible under this Agreement or under any of the Related Documents. Speficially, without limitation, Indebtedness includes all amounts that may be indirectly secured by the Cross-Collaterization provision of this Agreement.

 

Lender. The word "Lender" means THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, its successors and assigns.

 

Note. The word "Note" means the Note executed by Quality Products, Inc. in the principal amount of $1,300,000.00 dated March 18, 2004, together with renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of, and substitutions for the note or credit agreement.

 

Property. The word "Property" means all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to all the property as described in the "Collateral Description" section of this agreement.

 

Related Documents. The words "Related Documents" mean all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds, collateral mortgages, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the indebtedness.

 

GRANTOR HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COMMERCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT AND AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED MARCH 18, 2004.

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GRANTOR:

 

 

QUALITY PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Richard A. Drexler, Chief Executive Officer of
Quality Products, Inc.

 

 

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