Third Amended & Restated Stockholders Agreement

EX-10.1 3 k15678exv10w1.htm THIRD AMENDED & RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT exv10w1
 

EXHIBIT 10.1
 
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS CORP.
AND
AUTOMOTIVE INVESTORS L.L.C.
 
Dated: May 29, 2007
 
 


 

 

Table of Contents
                 
            Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS     1  
 
               
 
  1.1   Definitions     1  
 
  1.2   Other Defined Terms     3  
 
  1.3   Rules of Construction     3  
 
               
ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS     3  
 
               
 
  2.1   Demand Registration Rights     3  
 
  2.2   Incidental Registration     5  
 
  2.3   Registration Procedures     6  
 
  2.4   Expenses     7  
 
  2.5   Indemnification     8  
 
  2.6   Lock-up Agreement     9  
 
               
ARTICLE III COVENANTS     10  
 
               
 
  3.1   Books and Records     10  
 
  3.2   Periodic Reporting.     10  
 
  3.3   Confidentiality     10  
 
  3.4   Dissolution of AI LLC     11  
 
  3.5   Rule 144     11  
 
               
ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS     11  
 
               
 
  4.1   After-Acquired Securities     11  
 
  4.2   Recapitalization, Exchange, Etc     12  
 
  4.3   Notices     12  
 
  4.4   Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries     12  
 
  4.5   Amendment and Waiver     13  
 
  4.6   Counterparts     13  
 
  4.7   Specific Performance     13  
 
  4.8   Headings     13  
 
  4.9   Severability     14  
 
  4.10   Entire Agreement     14  
 
  4.11   Term of Agreement     14  
 
  4.12   Further Assurances     14  
 
  4.13   Governing Law     14  
 
  4.14   Other Registration Rights     14  
 
  4.15   Consent to Jurisdiction; No Jury Trial     15  
Exhibits
     
Exhibit A
  Form of Transfer Agreement


 

2

     
Exhibit B
  Form of Management Rights Letter Agreement


 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
          This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 29, 2007, is between TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (including any successor thereto, “Parent”), and Automotive Investors L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (together with any successor thereto and any Permitted Transferee thereof that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant hereto, “AI LLC”). Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein have the respective meanings given to them in Section 1.1. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings given to them in the Master Purchase Agreement referred to below.
          WHEREAS, on February 28, 2003, the parties hereto and Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop Grumman”) entered into that certain Stockholders Agreement (as amended and restated on January 21, 2004 and January 28, 2004, the “Original Stockholders Agreement”) in connection with the Master Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2002, between BCP Acquisition Company L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“BCP LLC”), and Northrop Grumman, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of December 20, 2002, and Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as of February 28, 2003 (as amended, the “Master Purchase Agreement”), among BCP LLC, Northrop Grumman, TRW Inc. and TRW Automotive Inc.;
          WHEREAS, Northrop Grumman no longer owns any shares of the Parent;
          WHEREAS, the remaining parties to the Original Stockholders Agreement wish to set forth certain understandings regarding the relationship among Parent and its shareholders and to amend and restate the Original Stockholders Agreement.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree to amend and restate the Original Stockholders Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
          1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
          “Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
          “Agreement” means this Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified in accordance with the terms hereof.


 

2

          “Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar agency then having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act.
          “Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent or any other capital stock of Parent into which such stock is reclassified or reconstituted and any other common stock of Parent.
          “Common Stock Equivalents” means any security or obligation which is by its terms convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into or for shares of Common Stock, whether at the time of issuance or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.
          “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Stockholder, any Affiliate thereof to which Shares are Transferred provided that such Permitted Transferee agrees that it will transfer its Shares back to the transferor Stockholder or to another Permitted Transferee thereof prior to its ceasing to be an Affiliate of such transferor Stockholder.
          “Public Offering” means any firm commitment underwritten public offering of Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or other limited purpose form.
          “Registrable Shares” means the Shares, provided that such Shares shall cease to be Registrable Shares if and when (i) a registration statement with respect to the disposition of such Shares shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such Shares shall have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (ii) such Shares shall have been sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met, (iii) such Shares shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates not bearing restrictive legends shall have been delivered by Parent in lieu thereof and further disposition thereof shall not require registration or qualification of them under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, (iv) such Shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (unless such Shares are held by a holder owning over 5% of all the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock) or (v) such Shares shall have ceased to be outstanding.
          “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
          “Shares” means, with respect to each Stockholder, all shares, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, of Common Stock, and any other Common Stock Equivalents owned thereby.
          “Stockholders” means each of AI LLC and any Permitted Transferee thereof to whom Shares are transferred, and the term “Stockholder” shall mean any such person.


 

3

          1.2 Other Defined Terms. The following capitalized terms are defined in this Agreement in the Section indicated below:
     
Defined Term   Section
Agreement
  Preamble
AI LLC
  Preamble
BCP LLC
  Recitals
Blackstone Members
  3.4
Demand Date
  2.1(a)
Exchange Act
  3.5
Initiating Stockholder
  2.1(a)
Master Purchase Agreement
  Recitals
Maximum Number
  2.1(c)
Original Stockholders Agreement
  Recitals
Parent
  Preamble
Request
  2.1(a)
Shelf Registration
  2.1(e)
          1.3 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to sections or subsections refer to sections or subsections of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
          2.1 Demand Registration Rights.
          (a) If at any time (the “Demand Date”), Parent shall receive a written request (a “Request”) from one or more Stockholder(s) to register Registrable Shares owned by such Stockholder(s) totaling at least 5% of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock, which request shall specify the intended method of disposition thereof, Parent shall promptly give notice of such request to the other Stockholders and thereupon shall (i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering (A) the number of the Registrable Shares which are the subject of such request, (B) all unissued shares of Common Stock which Parent has elected to register for itself and (C) all other Registrable Shares which the Stockholders shall have requested Parent to register pursuant to Section 2.2 and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective. The managing underwriter of an offering pursuant to this subparagraph (a) shall be selected by the Stockholders initiating the Request (the “Initiating Stockholders”) and shall be reasonably acceptable to Parent.
          (b) A registration requested pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall not be deemed to have been effected for purposes of Section 2.1(d): (i) if it has become effective and remains effective in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act but less than 50% of all Registrable Shares listed in the Request to be included in such registration statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of


 

4

disposition thereof set forth in such registration statement (other than primarily as a result of acts or omissions of the Initiating Stockholders or any authorized agent thereof); (ii) if, before the registration statement has been declared effective by the Commission, such registration statement has theretofore been filed with the Commission, and is withdrawn at the request of the Initiating Stockholder(s), and the Initiating Stockholder(s) elect to bear their own expenses and reimburse Parent for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it attributable to the attempted registration of such Registrable Shares; or (iii) if, after it has become effective, the offering of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other Governmental Body (for any reason not attributable to Parent or any of its Affiliates). If a registration statement filed by Parent at the request of the Initiating Stockholder(s) pursuant to this Section 2.1 is withdrawn at the initiative of Parent, then the Initiating Stockholder(s) shall not be deemed to have exercised a right to require Parent to register Registrable Shares pursuant to this Section 2.1.
          (c) If a demand registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriter advises Parent in writing that, in its opinion, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration (including securities of Parent which are not Registrable Shares) exceeds the maximum number of securities which can be sold in such offering without having an adverse effect on the offering of securities (including the price at which such securities could be offered) (the “Maximum Number”), Parent will include in such registration shares of Common Stock as follows: (i) first, the number of Registrable Shares requested to be registered by the Initiating Stockholder(s) pursuant to this Section 2.1 and the number of Registrable Shares requested to be registered by any other Stockholder(s) pursuant to Section 2.2, provided that if such amounts exceed the Maximum Number, such Registrable Shares shall be allocated amongst the Initiating Stockholder(s) and such other Stockholder(s) in proportion to their respective holdings of Shares at such time (up to the maximum amount requested by each); (ii) second, the number of shares requested to be registered by any other holders of capital stock of Parent having equivalent rights under similar agreements, pro rata in accordance with the number of shares so requested to be registered; and (iii) third, the number of shares proposed to be sold by Parent.
          (d) Subject to subparagraph (b) of this Section 2.1, the obligation of Parent under this Section 2.1 shall be limited to five registration statements for any Initiating Stockholder and its Affiliates. Subject to the election of the Initiating Stockholder to pay certain expenses pursuant to Section 2.1(b), Parent shall pay the expenses described in Section 2.4 in connection with any registration statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1.
          (e) Initiating Stockholders shall be permitted to request that any registration under this Section 2.1 be made under Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “Shelf Registration”). Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration continuously effective for two years or until such date on which there are no Registrable Securities covered by such registration. During the period during which the Shelf Registration is effective, Parent shall supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act or if reasonably requested by the


 

5

Initiating Stockholders or an underwriter of Registrable Securities, including to reflect any specific plan of distribution or method of sale, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such supplements and amendments declared effective, if required, as soon as practicable after filing.
          (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.1, if the managing underwriter, the Commission, the Securities Act or the form on which the registration statement is to be filed with respect to a requested registration would require the conduct of an audit other than the regular audit conducted by Parent at the end of its fiscal year, the filing of the registration statement requested pursuant to this Section may be delayed until the completion of such regular audit.
          2.2 Incidental Registration.
          (a) If, at any time after the Demand Date, Parent, for its own account or upon the request of any Initiating Stockholder(s), determines to proceed with the preparation and filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act in connection with the proposed registration or offer and sale of Common Stock (other than a registration statement on Form S-4, S-8, or other limited purpose form), Parent will give written notice of such determination to the Stockholders. Upon written request of any Stockholder given within 10 business days after receipt of any such notice from Parent, Parent will, except as herein provided, cause all Registrable Shares held by such Stockholder which have been requested to be included in the registration to be included in such registration statement; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent Parent from, at any time, abandoning or delaying any registration.
          (b) If any Public Offering pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be underwritten on a firm commitment basis, in whole or in part, Parent may require that the Common Stock requested for inclusion pursuant to this Section 2.2 be included in such Public Offering on the same terms and conditions as the securities otherwise being sold through the underwriters. If, upon the written advice of the managing underwriter of such Public Offering, the number of securities requested to be included in such registration (including securities of Parent which are not Registrable Shares) exceeds the Maximum Number, Parent will include in such registration such maximum number of shares of Common Stock as follows: (i) if such registration has been initiated by one or more Initiating Stockholders in the manner provided in Section 2.1(c); or (ii) if such registration has been initiated by Parent, then (A) first, the shares of Common Stock Parent proposes to sell for its own account, (B) second, the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included in such registration by the Stockholders and shares requested to be included in such registration by any other holders of capital stock having equivalent rights under similar agreements, and if such amounts, when taken together with the amounts referred to in clause (ii)(A) above, exceed the Maximum Amount, then the requests referred to in this clause (B) shall be allocated in proportion to all such holders’ respective holdings of shares of Common Stock at such time (up to the maximum amount requested by each).


 

6

          2.3 Registration Procedures. If and whenever Parent is required by the provisions of Section 2.1 or 2.2 to effect the registration of Registrable Shares under the Securities Act, Parent will:
          (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Shares, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective for such period as may be reasonably necessary to effect the sale of such Registrable Shares, which, except in the case of a Shelf Registration, shall not exceed 180 days; provided, however, that Parent may discontinue any registration of its securities that is being effected pursuant to Section 2.2 at any time;
          (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments to such registration statement and supplements to the prospectus contained therein as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for such period as may be reasonably necessary to effect the sale of such Registrable Shares, which, except in the case of a Shelf Registration, shall not exceed 180 days; provided, however, that Parent may discontinue any registration of its securities that is being effected pursuant to Section 2.2 at any time;
          (c) furnish to the Stockholders participating in such registration and to the underwriters of the securities being registered such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus and such other documents as such underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public offering of such Registrable Shares;
          (d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such state securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as such participating Stockholders may reasonably request within 20 days following the original filing of such registration statement, except that Parent shall not for any purpose be required to execute a general consent to service of process or to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so qualified;
          (e) notify such participating Stockholders, promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when such registration statement has become effective or a supplement to any prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed;
          (f) notify the participating Stockholders in the event that Parent becomes aware that any prospectus required to be delivered by Stockholders pursuant to the Securities Act contains an untrue statement of a material fact or fails to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading and, at the request of any such Stockholder, prepare, promptly file with the Commission and deliver to such Stockholder such amendments or supplements to the prospectus as may be necessary so that the prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact


 

7

or fail to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;
          (g) advise such Stockholders, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and promptly use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal, if such stop order should be issued;
          (h) if such registration statement includes an underwritten public offering, enter into a customary underwriting agreement and, at the closing provided for in such underwriting agreement provide such of the following documents as are required thereunder: (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to Parent; and (ii) a cold comfort letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of Parent covering such matters as are customarily covered by such letters; and
          (i) provide, and cause management of Parent to provide, reasonable and customary assistance to the Stockholders in connection with the marketing of such Public Offering.
          It shall be a condition precedent to the obligation of Parent to take any action pursuant to this Agreement in respect of the Registrable Shares which are to be registered at the request of any Stockholder that such Stockholder shall furnish to Parent such information regarding the Registrable Shares held by such Stockholder and the intended method of disposition thereof as Parent shall reasonably request in connection with such registration.
          Each Stockholder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from Parent of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(f), such Stockholder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Shares pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Shares until such Stockholder receives the copies of the prospectus supplement or amendment contemplated by Section 2.3(f), and, if so directed by Parent, such Stockholder will deliver to Parent all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Stockholder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Shares current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event Parent shall give any such notice, the period mentioned in Section 2.3(b) shall be extended by the greater of (i) 30 days or (ii) the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 2.3(f) to and including the date when such Stockholder shall have received the copies of the prospectus supplement or amendment contemplated by Section 2.3(f).
          2.4 Expenses. With respect to a registration requested pursuant to Section 2.1 (except as otherwise provided in such Section with respect to registrations voluntarily terminated at the request of the Stockholders that elect to pay certain expenses) and with respect to each inclusion of Registrable Shares in a registration statement pursuant to Section 2.2, Parent shall bear the following fees, costs and expenses: all registration, filing and listing fees, printing expenses, fees and


 

8

disbursements of counsel, fees and disbursements of accountants, all legal fees and disbursements and other expenses of complying with state securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdictions in which the securities to be offered are to be registered or qualified, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the transferring Stockholders; provided that such Stockholders shall bear their own underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes.
          2.5 Indemnification.
          (a) Parent will indemnify and hold harmless each Stockholder whose Registrable Shares are included in a registration statement pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1 or 2.2, each officer, director and Affiliate of each such Stockholder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Stockholder and each Person, if any, who controls such Stockholder or such underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any and all loss, damage, liability, cost and expense to which such Stockholder, director, officer, Affiliate, underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses are caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement, any final prospectus relating thereto or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that Parent will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, damage, liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished by such Stockholder, such underwriter or such controlling person in writing specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
          (b) Each Stockholder whose Shares are included in a registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2 will indemnify and hold harmless Parent, any director or officer thereof, any underwriter and any controlling Person (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Parent or any such underwriter from and against any and all loss, damage, liability, cost or expense to which Parent or such director, officer, underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses are caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement, any final prospectus relating thereto or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was so made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished by such Stockholder specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.5 of notice of the commencement


 

9

of any action involving the subject matter of the foregoing indemnity provisions, such indemnified party will, if a claim thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions of said subparagraphs (a) or (b), promptly notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under this Section 2.5, except to the extent the indemnifying party was prejudiced by such omission. In case such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the defendants in any action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and there is a conflict of interest which would prevent counsel for the indemnifying party from also representing the indemnified party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select one firm of separate counsel satisfactory to the indemnifying party to participate in the defense of such action on behalf of all indemnified parties. After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party pursuant to the provisions of said subparagraphs (a) or (b) for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed counsel in accordance with the proviso of the preceding sentence, in which case only the reasonable fees and expenses of such single firm shall be indemnifiable; (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after the notice of the commencement of the action; or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party.
          (d) The obligations of the parties under this Section 2.5 shall be in addition to any liability, which any party may otherwise have to any other party.
          (e) The indemnification required by this Section 2.5 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or loss, damage, liability, cost or expense is incurred.
          2.6 Lock-up Agreement. If any registration of Registrable Shares shall be in connection with an underwritten public offering, each Stockholder agrees not to, and shall use its best efforts to cause its Affiliates not to, effect any transfer, sale or distribution (except as a participant in such underwritten public offering or from one party (or its Affiliate) to another party (or its Affiliate)), including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, of any equity securities of Parent, or of any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security of Parent (in each case, except as a participant in such underwritten public offering or from one party (or its Affiliate) to another party (or its Affiliate)), during the seven days prior to, and during the 180-day period (or such shorter period as the managing underwriters may require or


 

10

permit) beginning on, the effective date of such registration, and Parent hereby also so agrees and agrees to use reasonable efforts to cause each other holder (other than employees who are not executive officers of Parent) of any equity security, or of any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity security, of Parent purchased from Parent (at any time other than in a public offering) to so agree. Parent agrees that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which Parent issues or agrees to issue any privately placed Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalent or other securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any transfer, sale or distribution of any such securities during the period referred to in the preceding sentence, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (except as part of such registration, if permitted).
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
          3.1 Books and Records. Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books or records and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
          3.2 Periodic Reporting.
          (a) Parent shall deliver to each Stockholder:
          (i) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Parent, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, all in reasonable detail;
          (ii) commencing with the fiscal period ending on March 31, 2003, as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its subsidiaries, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for such quarter and for the period commencing on the first day of the fiscal year and ending on the last day of such quarter; and
          (b) Parent shall deliver to each Stockholder that, together with its Affiliates, owns at least 18% of the then-outstanding Shares of Common Stock such other reports and information as may be reasonably requested by such Stockholder.
          3.3 Confidentiality. Except as required by law or other legal proceeding, each party hereto will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates and representatives to, maintain in confidence, any nonpublic or confidential proprietary information furnished to them by or on behalf of any other party or its representatives in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated


 

11

hereby. All information provided under this Agreement shall be deemed confidential; provided, however, that information shall not be deemed confidential if (a) at the time of disclosure, such information is generally available to and known by the public (other than as a result of a disclosure directly by the recipient or any of its representatives), (b) such information was available to the recipient on a non-confidential basis from a source that is not and was not prohibited from disclosing such information to the recipient by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation or (c) such information is known to the recipient prior to or independently of its relationship with the party providing such information.
          3.4 Dissolution of AI LLC. In the event of a dissolution of AI LLC, each of Parent and the Stockholders agrees (a) for the benefit of the members of AI LLC which are Affiliates of Blackstone Management Associates IV L.L.C. (the “Blackstone Members”) that it will enter into agreements with the Blackstone Members with respect to the Shares which are designed to reflect the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2003 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified), and (b) that Parent shall enter into a management rights letter agreement, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, with each member of AI LLC which becomes a stockholder of Parent as a result of such dissolution and which is intended to qualify as a venture capital operating company (as defined in Department of Labor Regulation 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101(d)(3)(i).
          3.5 Rule 144. If Parent is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Parent covenants that it will file any reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act, and it will take such further action as any Stockholder may reasonably request, so as to enable such Stockholder, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, to sell Registrable Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Upon the request of any Stockholder, Parent will deliver to such Stockholder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
          4.1 After-Acquired Securities. All of the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to all of the Shares and Common Stock Equivalents now owned or which may be issued or transferred hereafter to a Stockholder in consequence of any additional issuance, purchase, exchange or reclassification of any of such Shares or Common Stock Equivalents, corporate reorganization, or any other form of recapitalization, consolidation, merger, share split or share dividend, or which are acquired by a Stockholder in any other manner.


 

12

          4.2 Recapitalization, Exchange, Etc. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect to the Shares and the Common Stock Equivalents, to any and all shares of capital stock of Parent, Common Stock Equivalents or other securities of Parent that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Shares or Common Stock Equivalents, and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, reclassifications, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Shares or the Common Stock Equivalents, by way of any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, or reclassifications, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization or by any other means occurring after the date of this Agreement, appropriate adjustment shall be made to the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Shares and Common Stock Equivalents as so changed.
          4.3 Notices. All notices, demands or other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be by registered or certified first class mail, return receipt requested, telecopier, courier service, or personal delivery:
          (a) if to Parent:
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
12001 Tech Center Drive
Livonia, Michigan 48150
Telecopy:
Attention: David Bialosky
          (b) if to AI LLC:
c/o The Blackstone Group L.P.
345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10154
Telecopy: (212)  ###-###-####
Attention: Neil P. Simpkins
          (c) if to any Permitted Transferee, at its address as it appears on the record books of Parent.
All such notices, demands and other communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when delivered by courier, if delivered by commercial courier service; five business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; and when receipt is mechanically acknowledged, if telecopied. Any party may by notice given in accordance with this Section 4.3 designate another address or Person for receipts of notices hereunder.
          4.4 Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon successors and permitted


 

13

assigns of the parties hereto. This Agreement is not assignable except in connection with a transfer of Shares in which (a) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement pursuant to an instrument substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, (b) the transfer complies in all respects with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and (c) the transfer complies in all respects with applicable federal and state securities laws, including, without limitation, the Securities Act. Upon becoming a party to this Agreement, the transferee of a Stockholder shall be substituted for, and shall enjoy the same rights and be subject to the same obligations as, a Stockholder hereunder with respect to the Shares transferred to such transferee; provided, however, that AI LLC may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a group consisting of the members of AI LLC. Except as provided in Section 3.4, no Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement.
          4.5 Amendment and Waiver.
          (a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the parties hereto at law, in equity or otherwise.
          (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if it is made or given in writing and signed by each of Parent and AI LLC. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any departure by any party from the terms of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the party waiving its right or consenting to such departure. Any such amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent shall be binding upon Parent and all of the Stockholders.
          4.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any counterpart or other signature hereupon delivered by facsimile shall be deemed for all purposes as constituting good and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by such party.
          4.7 Specific Performance. The parties hereto intend that each of the parties have the right to seek damages or specific performance in the event that any other party hereto fails to perform such party’s obligations hereunder. Therefore, if any party shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions hereof, any party against whom such action or proceeding is brought hereby waives any claim or defense therein that the plaintiff party has an adequate remedy at law.
          4.8 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.


 

14

          4.9 Severability. If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining provisions hereof.
          4.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto, is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement, together with the exhibits hereto, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with respect to such subject matter.
          4.11 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution hereof and shall terminate upon the earlier of:
          (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement; and
          (b) the written agreement of each of the parties hereto.
          4.12 Further Assurances. Each of the parties shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, execute such documents and perform such further acts as may be reasonably required or desirable to carry out or to perform the provisions of this Agreement.
          4.13 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
          4.14 Other Registration Rights.
          (a) Parent hereby agrees that it will not grant to any Person (other than the Stockholders) any rights to demand registration under the Securities Act of any shares of its Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents or other equity securities.
          (b) If Parent at any time grants to any other holders of Common Stock, Common Stock Equivalents or other equity securities of Parent any rights to request Parent to effect the incidental registration under the Securities Act of any such securities on any terms more favorable to such holders than the terms set forth in this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall, at the request of any Stockholder, be deemed amended or supplemented to the extent necessary to provide the Stockholders such more favorable rights and benefits.


 

15

          (c) Parent agrees that it will not enter into, or cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to enter into, any agreement which conflicts with, limits or prohibits the exercise of the rights granted to the Stockholders in this Agreement.
          4.15 Consent to Jurisdiction; No Jury Trial. Any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be instituted in any federal court in the Southern District of New York, or in any state court in which venue would otherwise be properly located in the Southern District of New York, and each party waives any objection which such party may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such action, suit or proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court. Any and all service of process and any other notice in any such action, suit or proceeding will be effective against any party if given as provided herein. Nothing herein contained will be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any jurisdiction other than New York. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER IN ANY MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.


 

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed, or have caused to be executed, this Agreement on the date first written above.
             
    TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS CORP.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ David L. Bialosky
 
   
 
      Name: David L. Bialosky
Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
   


 

 

             
    AUTOMOTIVE INVESTORS L.L.C.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Neil P. Simpkins
 
   
 
      Name: Neil P. Simpkins    
 
      Title: Authorized Signatory    


 

 

Exhibit A
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT
          The undersigned wishes to receive from [                    ] (“Transferor”) [certain shares or certain options, warrants or other rights to purchase] [                    ] shares, par value $0.01 per share, of Common Stock (the “Shares”) of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”).
          The Shares are subject to the Third Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of May [___], 2007 (the “Agreement”), among Parent and the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto. The undersigned has been given a copy of the Agreement and afforded ample opportunity to read and to have counsel review it, and the undersigned is thoroughly familiar with its terms.
          Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the transferor is prohibited from transferring such Shares and Parent is prohibited from registering the transfer of the Shares unless and until a transfer is made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the recipient of such Shares acknowledges the terms and conditions of the Agreement and agrees to be bound thereby.
          The undersigned wishes to receive such Shares and have Parent register the transfer of such Shares.
          In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and to induce the transferor to transfer such Shares to the undersigned and Parent to register such transfer, the undersigned does hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) he/she has been given a copy of the Agreement and afforded ample opportunity to read and to have counsel review it, and the undersigned is thoroughly familiar with its terms, (ii) the Shares are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, and (iii) the undersigned does hereby agree fully to be bound thereby as a “Stockholder”.
This                      day of                     , 20___.


 

 

Exhibit B
FORM OF
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS LETTER AGREEMENT
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
                     ___, 20___1
[List each VCOC investor in AI LLC which becomes a shareholder in TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. upon the dissolution of AI LLC]
Attention:
Dear Sir/Madam:
          Reference is made to the Third Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement by and among TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (the “Parent”) and the other parties named therein dated as of May [___], 2007 (the “Stockholders Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings specified in the Stockholders Agreement.
          The Parent hereby agrees that until, with respect to any of the addressees of this letter (each, a “VCOC Investor”), such time as such VCOC Investor (together with its affiliates) ceases to own a number of Shares equal to or in excess of 50% of the number of Shares for which such VCOC Investor’s initial membership interest in AI LLC as of February 28, 2003 would have been converted or exchanged upon the dissolution of AI LLC (or the securities into which such Shares may have been converted or for which they may have been exchanged) (as equitably adjusted to reflect any stock splits, reverse stock splits or other corporate reorganizations), without limitation or prejudice of any the rights provided to the VCOC Investors under the Stockholders Agreement, the Parent shall:
  Provide each VCOC Investor or its designated representative with:
          (i) the right to visit and inspect any of the offices and properties of the Parent and its subsidiaries and inspect and copy the books and records of the Parent and its subsidiaries, at such times as the VCOC Investor shall reasonably request;
          (ii) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent, consolidated balance sheets of the Parent and its subsidiaries as of the end of such period, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Parent and its subsidiaries for the period then ended
 
1   To be dated the date of the dissolution of Automotive Investors L.L.C.


 

 

prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, and subject to the absence of footnotes and to year-end adjustments;
          (iii) as soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its subsidiaries as of the end of such year, and consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Parent and its subsidiaries for the year then ended prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise noted therein, together with an auditor’s report thereon of a firm of established national reputation; and
          (iv) to the extent the Parent is required by law or pursuant to the terms of any outstanding indebtedness of the Parent to prepare such reports, any annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, actually prepared by the Parent as soon as available.
  Make appropriate officers and/or directors of the Parent available periodically and at such times as reasonably requested by the VCOC Investor for consultation with the VCOC Investor or its designated representative with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Parent and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, significant changes in management personnel and compensation of employees, introduction of new products or new lines of business, important acquisitions or dispositions of plants and equipment, significant research and development programs, the purchasing or selling of important trademarks, licenses or concessions or the proposed commencement or compromise of significant litigation;
 
  Inform the VCOC Investor or its designated representative in advance with respect to any significant corporate actions, including, without limitation, extraordinary dividends, mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, issuances of significant amounts of debt or equity and material amendments to the certificate of incorporation or by laws of the Parent, and to provide the VCOC Investor or its designated representative with the right to consult with the Parent with respect to such actions; and
 
  Provide the VCOC Investor or its designated representative with such other rights of consultation, if any, as may reasonably be mutually agreed by the VCOC Investor and the Parent as a result of change in law or issuance of additional interpretive guidance by the Department of Labor after the date hereof to be necessary to qualify its investment in the Parent as a “venture capital investment” for purposes of the United States Department of Labor Regulation published at 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101(d)(3)(i) (the “Plan Asset Regulation”).
          The Parent agrees to consider, in good faith, the recommendations of the VCOC Investor or its designated representative in connection with the matters on which it is consulted as described above, recognizing that the ultimate discretion with respect to all such matters shall be retained by the Parent.


 

 

          In the event the VCOC Investor transfers all or any portion of their investment in the Parent to an affiliated entity that is intended to qualify as a venture capital operating company under the Plan Asset Regulation, such transferee shall be afforded the same rights with respect to the Parent afforded to the VCOC Investor hereunder and shall be treated, for such purposes, as a third party beneficiary hereunder.
          This letter agreement and the rights and the duties of the parties hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
             
    TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS CORP.    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
 
      Name:    
 
      Title:    
Agreed and acknowledged as of the
date first above written:
[VCOC FUND]
             
 
  By:        
 
           
    Name:    
    Title:    
[VCOC FUND]
             
 
  By:        
 
           
    Name:    
    Title:    
[VCOC FUND]
             
 
  By:        
 
           
    Name:    
    Title: