LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Loan Agreements
EX-10.27 2 dex1027.htm LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Loan and Security Agreement

Exhibit 10.27

EXECUTION VERSION

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

by and among

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Lender

and

VITACOST.COM INC.,

as Borrower

Dated: August 3, 2007


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

SECTION 1.

  

DEFINITIONS

   1

SECTION 2.

  

CREDIT FACILITIES

   15

2.1

   Revolving Loans    15

2.2

   Letters of Credit    15

SECTION 3.

  

INTEREST AND FEES

   17

3.1

   Interest    17

3.2

   Closing Fee    18

3.3

   Unused Line Fee    18

3.4

   Letter of Credit Fees    18

3.5

   Changes in Laws and Increased Costs of Loans    18

SECTION 4.

  

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

   19

4.1

   Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans and Letters of Credit    19

4.2

   Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit    21

SECTION 5.

  

GRANT AND PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST

   21

5.1

   Grant of Security Interest    21

5.2

   Perfection of Security Interests    23

SECTION 6.

  

COLLECTION AND ADMINISTRATION

   26

6.1

   Borrower’s Loan Account    26

6.2

   Statements    26

6.3

   Collection of Accounts    27

6.4

   Payments    28

6.5

   Authorization to Make Loans    28

6.6

   Use of Proceeds    29

SECTION 7.

  

COLLATERAL REPORTING AND COVENANTS

   29

7.1

   Collateral Reporting    29

7.2

   Accounts Covenants    30

7.3

   Inventory Covenants    30

7.4

   [intentionally left blank]    31

7.5

   Power of Attorney    31

7.6

   Right to Cure    32

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page

7.7

   Access to Premises    32

SECTION 8.

  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   33

8.1

   Corporate Existence; Power and Authority    33

8.2

   Name; State of Organization; Chief Executive Office; Collateral Locations    33

8.3

   Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change    34

8.4

   Priority of Liens; Title to Properties    34

8.5

   Tax Returns    34

8.6

   Litigation    34

8.7

   Compliance with Other Agreements and Applicable Laws    35

8.8

   Environmental Compliance    35

8.9

   Employee Benefits    36

8.10

   Bank Accounts    36

8.11

   Intellectual Property    36

8.12

   Subsidiaries; Affiliates; Capitalization; Solvency    37

8.13

   Labor Disputes    38

8.14

   Restrictions on Subsidiaries    38

8.15

   Material Contracts    38

8.16

   Payable Practices    38

8.17

   Accuracy and Completeness of Information    38

8.18

   Survival of Warranties; Cumulative    38

SECTION 9.

  

AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

  

9.1

   Maintenance of Existence    39

9.2

   New Collateral Locations    39

9.3

   Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Etc.    39

9.4

   Payment of Taxes and Claims    40

9.5

   Insurance    41

9.6

   Financial Statements and Other Information    41

9.7

   Credit Card Agreements    43

9.8

   Sale of Assets, Consolidation, Merger, Dissolution, Etc.    44

9.9

   Encumbrances    44

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page

9.10

   Indebtedness    45

9.11

   Loans, Investments, Etc.    46

9.12

   Dividends and Redemptions    46

9.13

   Transactions with Affiliates    47

9.14

   Compliance with ERISA    47

9.15

   End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters    47

9.16

   Change in Business    47

9.17

   Limitation of Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries    47

9.18

   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio    48

9.19

   Unfinanced Capital Expenditures    48

9.20

   Excess Availability    48

9.21

   License Agreements    48

9.22

   Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.    49

9.23

   Costs and Expenses    50

9.24

   Further Assurances    50

SECTION 10.

  

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

   51

10.1

   Events of Default    51

10.2

   Remedies    53

SECTION 11.

  

JURY TRIAL WAIVER; OTHER WAIVERS AND CONSENTS; GOVERNING LAW

   56

11.1

   Governing Law; Choice of Forum; Service of Process; Jury Trial Waiver    56

11.2

   Waiver of Notices    57

11.3

   Amendments and Waivers    57

11.4

   Waiver of Counterclaims    58

11.5

   Indemnification    58

SECTION 12.

  

TERM OF AGREEMENT; MISCELLANEOUS

   58

12.1

   Term    58

12.2

   Interpretative Provisions    59

12.3

   Notices    61

12.4

   Partial Invalidity    62

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page

12.5

   Successors    62

12.6

   USA Patriot Act    62

12.7

   Entire Agreement    62

12.8

   Counterparts, Etc.    63

 

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INDEX

TO

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A    Information Certificate
Exhibit B    Form of Compliance Certificate
Schedule 1.17    Credit Card Agreements
Schedule 1.63    Permitted Holders


LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This Loan and Security Agreement dated August 3, 2007 is entered into by and between Wachovia Bank, National Association , a national banking association (“Lender” as hereinafter further defined) and Vitacost.com Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, “Borrower” as hereinafter further defined).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Lender enter into financing arrangements with Borrower pursuant to which Lender may make loans and provide other financial accommodations to Borrower; and

WHEREAS, Lender is willing to make such loans and provide such financial accommodations on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual conditions and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings given to them below:

1.1 “Accounts” shall mean all present and future rights of Borrower to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, which is not evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument, (a) for property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, (b) for services rendered or to be rendered, (c) for a secondary obligation incurred or to be incurred, or (d) arising out of the use of a credit or charge card or information contained on or for use with the card.

1.2 “Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes (a) any Person which beneficially owns or holds five (5%) percent or more of any class of Voting Stock of such Person or other equity interests in such Person, (b) any Person of which such Person beneficially owns or holds five (5%) percent or more of any class of Voting Stock or in which such Person beneficially owns or holds five (5%) percent or more of the equity interests and (c) any director or executive officer of such Person. For the purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by agreement or otherwise.


1.3 “Blocked Accounts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3 hereof.

1.4 “Borrower” shall mean Vitacost.com Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors and assigns.

1.5 “Borrowing Base” shall mean, at any time, the amount equal to:

(a) the amount equal to the lesser of (i) forty-five (45%) percent multiplied by the Value of the Eligible Inventory consisting of finished goods or (2) eighty-five (85%) percent of the Net Recovery Percentage multiplied by the Value of such Eligible Inventory, minus

(b) Reserves.

The amounts of Eligible Inventory shall, at Lender’s option, be determined based on the lesser of the amount of Inventory set forth in the general ledger of Borrower or the perpetual inventory record maintained by Borrower.

1.6 “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close under the laws of the State of North Carolina, and a day on which Lender is open for the transaction of business, except that if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to the LIBOR Market Index Rate, the term Business Day shall also exclude any day on which banks are closed for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

1.7 “Capital Expenditures” means for any period the aggregate cost of all capital assets acquired by Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

1.8 “Capital Leases” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any lease of (or any agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which in accordance with GAAP, is required to be reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person.

1.9 “Capital Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock or partnership, limited liability company or other equity interests at any time outstanding, and any and all rights, warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock or other interests (but excluding any debt security that is exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock).

1.10 “Cash Equivalents” shall mean, at any time, (a) any evidence of Indebtedness with a maturity date of ninety (90) days or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof; provided, that, the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof; (b) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances with a maturity of ninety (90) days or less of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $1,000,000,000; (c) commercial paper (including variable

 

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rate demand notes) with a maturity of ninety (90) days or less issued by a corporation (except an Affiliate of Borrower) organized under the laws of any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or at least P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any financial institution having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $1,000,000,000; (e) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements relating to marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or issued by any governmental agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in each case maturing within ninety (90) days or less from the date of acquisition; provided, that, the terms of such agreements comply with the guidelines set forth in the Federal Financial Agreements of Depository Institutions with Securities Dealers and Others, as adopted by the Comptroller of the Currency on October 31, 1985; and (f) investments in money market funds and mutual funds which invest substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above.

1.11 “Change of Control” shall mean (a) the transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Borrower to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); (b) the liquidation or dissolution of Borrower or the adoption of a plan by the stockholders of Borrower relating to the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower; (c) the acquisition by any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), except for one or more Permitted Holders, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Borrower or the Board of Directors of Borrower; (d) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of Borrower (together with any new directors who have been appointed by any Permitted Holder, or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of Borrower, as the case may be, was approved by a vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3%) percent of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower then still in office; or (e) the failure of the Permitted Holders to own directly or indirectly at least fifty (50%) percent of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Borrower.

1.12 “Closing Date Excess Availability” shall mean the amount, as determined by Lender, calculated at any date, equal to: (a) the lesser of: (i) the Borrowing Base and (ii) the Revolving Loan Limit (in each case under (i) and (ii) after giving effect to any Reserves other than any Reserves in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations), minus (b) the sum of: (i) the amount of all then outstanding and unpaid Obligations (but not including for this purpose any outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations), plus (ii) the amount of all Reserves then established in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations, plus (iii) the aggregate amount of all then outstanding and unpaid trade payables and other obligations of Borrower which are outstanding more than ninety (90) days from original invoice date or more than sixty (60) days past due as of the end of the immediately preceding month or at Lender’s option, as of a more recent date based on such reports as Lender may from time to time specify (other than trade payables or other obligations

 

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being contested or disputed by Borrower in good faith), plus (iv) without duplication, the amount of checks issued by Borrower to pay trade payables and other obligations which are outstanding more than ninety (90) days from original invoice date or more than sixty (60) past due as of the end of the immediately preceding month or at Lender’s option, as of a more recent date based on such reports as Lender may from time to time specify (other than trade payables or other obligations being contested or disputed by Borrower in good faith), but not yet sent.

1.13 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

1.14 “Collateral” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

1.15 “Collateral Access Agreement” shall mean an agreement in writing, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, from any lessor of premises to Borrower, or any other person to whom any Collateral is consigned or who has custody, control or possession of any such Collateral or is otherwise the owner or operator of any premises on which any of such Collateral is located, in favor of Lender with respect to the Collateral at such premises or otherwise in the custody, control or possession of such lessor, consignee or other person.

1.16 “Credit Card Acknowledgments” shall mean, collectively, the agreements by Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors who are parties to Credit Card Agreements in favor of Lender acknowledging Lender’s first priority security interest in the monies due and to become due to any Borrower (including, without limitation, credits and reserves) under the Credit Card Agreements, and agreeing to transfer all such amounts to the Blocked Accounts, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced; sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Credit Card Acknowledgment.”

1.17 “Credit Card Agreements” shall mean all agreements now existing or hereafter entered into by a Borrower with any Credit Card Issuer or any Credit Card Processor, as the same may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced, including, but not limited to, the agreements set forth on Schedule 1.17 hereto; sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Credit Card Agreement.”

1.18 “Credit Card Issuer” shall mean any person (other than a Borrower) who issues or whose members issue credit cards, including, without limitation, MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and other non-bank credit or debit cards, including, without limitation, credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and Novus Services, Inc.

1.19 “Credit Card Processor” shall mean any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to any Borrower’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

 

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1.20 “Default” shall mean an act, condition or event which with notice or passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

1.21 “Deposit Account Control Agreement” shall mean an agreement in writing, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, by and among Lender, Borrower and any bank at which any deposit account of Borrower is at any time maintained which provides that such bank will comply with instructions originated by Lender directing disposition of the funds in the deposit account without further consent by Borrower and has such other terms and conditions as Lender may require.

1.22 “EBITDA” means the sum of (A) consolidated net income of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the applicable fiscal period (computed without regard to any extraordinary items of gain or loss) plus (B) to the extent deducted from revenue in computing consolidated net income for such period, the sum of (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense, and (3) depreciation and amortization less (C) non-cash gains.

1.23 “Eligible Inventory” shall mean Inventory consisting of finished goods held for resale in the ordinary course of the business of Borrower that satisfy the criteria set forth below as determined by Lender. In general, Eligible Inventory shall not include (a) raw materials and work-in-process; (b) components which are not part of finished goods; (c) spare parts for equipment; (d) packaging and shipping materials; (e) supplies used or consumed in Borrower’s business; (f) Inventory at premises other than those owned or leased and controlled by Borrower; (g) Inventory subject to a security interest or lien in favor of any Person other than Lender except those permitted in this Agreement that are subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender between the holder of such security interest or lien and Lender; (h) bill and hold goods; (i) unserviceable, obsolete or slow moving Inventory; (j) Inventory that is not subject to the first priority, valid and perfected security interest of Lender; (k) returned, damaged and/or defective Inventory; (1) Inventory purchased or sold on consignment; (m) Inventory located outside the United States of America; (n) Inventory that is 180 days or less from expiration date; and (o) all Inventory relating to any SKU if at any time after the date six months from the creation of such SKU, Borrower has on hand more than a 12-month supply of such Inventory (based on annualized projected sales as reasonably determined by Lender). The criteria for Eligible Inventory set forth above may only be changed and any new criteria for Eligible Inventory may only be established by Lender in good faith based on either: (i) an event, condition or other circumstance arising after the date hereof, or (ii) an event, condition or other circumstance existing on the date hereof to the extent Lender has no written notice thereof from Borrower prior to the date hereof, in either case under clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Inventory in the good faith determination of Lender. Any Inventory that is not Eligible Inventory shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral.

1.24 “Environmental Laws” shall mean all foreign, Federal, State and local laws (including common law), legislation, rules, codes, licenses, permits (including any conditions imposed therein), authorizations, judicial or administrative decisions, injunctions or agreements

 

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between Borrower and any Governmental Authority, (a) relating to pollution and the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, water vapor, surface water, ground water, drinking water, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or to human health or safety, (b) relating to the exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, transportation, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal, or threatened release, of Hazardous Materials, or (c) relating to all laws with regard to recordkeeping, notification, disclosure and reporting requirements respecting Hazardous Materials. The term “Environmental Laws” includes (i) the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (including the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments thereto), the Federal Solid Waste Disposal and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, (ii) applicable state counterparts to such laws, and (iii) any common law or equitable doctrine that may impose liability or obligations for injuries or damages due to, or threatened as a result of, the presence of or exposure to any Hazardous Materials.

1.25 “Equipment” shall mean all of Borrower’s now owned and hereafter acquired equipment, wherever located, including machinery, data processing and computer equipment (whether owned or licensed and including embedded software) vehicles, tools, furniture, fixtures, all attachments, accessions and property now or hereafter affixed thereto or used in connection therewith, and substitutions and replacements thereof, wherever located.

1.26 “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

1.27 “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any person required to be aggregated with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under Sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m) or 414(o) of the Code.

1.28 “ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Pension Plan, other than events as to which the requirement of notice has been waived in regulations by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (b) the adoption of any amendment to a Pension Plan that would require the provision of security pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or a cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) an event or condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in excess of

 

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$50,000; and (g) any other event or condition with respect to a Plan, including any Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, maintained, or contributed to, by any ERISA Affiliate that could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Borrower in excess of $50,000.

1.29 “Event of Default” shall mean the occurrence or existence of any event or condition described in Section 10.1 hereof.

1.30 “Excess Availability” shall mean the amount, as determined by Lender, calculated at any date, equal to: (a) the lesser of: (i) the Borrowing Base and (ii) the Revolving Loan Limit (in each case under (i) and (ii) after giving effect to any Reserves other than any Reserves in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations), minus (b) the sum of: (i) the amount of all then outstanding and unpaid Obligations (but not including for this purpose any outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations) plus (ii) the amount of all Reserves then established in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations.

1.31 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

1.32 “Financing Agreements” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement and all notes, guarantees, security agreements, deposit account control agreements, investment property control agreements, intercreditor agreements and all other agreements, documents and instruments now or at any time hereafter executed and/or delivered by Borrower or any Obligor in connection with this Agreement, but does not include Swap Agreements.

1.33 “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means as of the last day of each month (i) EBITDA (for the applicable fiscal period), less the sum of (A) all unfinanced Capital Expenditures made in the applicable fiscal period, and (B) any dividends and distributions paid in the applicable fiscal period and (C) cash taxes paid in the applicable fiscal period, divided by (ii) Fixed Charges.

1.34 “Fixed Charges” means as of the last day of each month, (i) cash interest payments on Indebtedness paid during the applicable fiscal period plus (ii) scheduled principal amortization on Indebtedness during the applicable fiscal period.

1.35 “Funding Bank” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 3.7 hereof.

1.36 “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination consistently applied, except that, for purposes of Sections 9.18, 9.19 and 9.20 hereof, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements delivered to Lender prior to the date hereof.

1.37 “Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state, province, or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

 

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1.38 “Hazardous Materials” shall mean any hazardous, toxic or dangerous substances, materials and wastes, including hydrocarbons (including naturally occurring or man-made petroleum and hydrocarbons), flammable explosives, asbestos, urea formaldehyde insulation, radioactive materials, biological substances, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, herbicides and any other kind and/or type of pollutants or contaminants (including materials which include hazardous constituents), sewage, sludge, industrial slag, solvents and/or any other similar substances, materials, or wastes and including any other substances, materials or wastes that are or become regulated under any Environmental Law (including any that are or become classified as hazardous or toxic under any Environmental Law).

1.39 “Indebtedness” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any liability, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments; (b) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services (other than an account payable to a trade creditor (whether or not an Affiliate) incurred in the ordinary course of business of such Person and payable in accordance with customary trade practices); (c) all obligations as lessee under leases which have been, or should be, in accordance with GAAP recorded as Capital Leases; (d) any contractual obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person to pay or be liable for the payment of any indebtedness described in this definition of another Person, including, without limitation, any such indebtedness, directly or indirectly guaranteed, or any agreement to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire such indebtedness, obligation or liability or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge thereof, or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, or other financial condition; (e) all obligations with respect to redeemable stock and redemption or repurchase obligations under any Capital Stock or other equity securities issued by such Person; (f) all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities of such Person with respect to surety bonds (whether bid, performance or otherwise), letters of credit, banker’s acceptances, drafts or similar documents or instruments issued for such Person’s account; (g) all indebtedness of such Person in respect of indebtedness of another Person for borrowed money or indebtedness of another Person otherwise described in this definition which is secured by any consensual lien, security interest, collateral assignment, conditional sale, mortgage, deed of trust, or other encumbrance on any asset of such Person, whether or not such obligations, liabilities or indebtedness are assumed by or are a personal liability of such Person, all as of such time; (h) all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of such Person (marked to market) arising under Swap Agreements; (i) all obligations owed by such Person under License Agreements with respect to non-refundable, advance or minimum guarantee royalty payments; (j) indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in such entity, except to the extent that the terms of such indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor or such Person has no liability therefor as a matter of law and (k) the principal and interest portions of all rental obligations of such Person under any synthetic lease or similar off-balance sheet financing where such transaction is considered to be borrowed money for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP.

 

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1.40 “Information Certificate” shall mean the Information Certificate of Borrower constituting Exhibit A hereto containing material information with respect to Borrower, its business and assets provided by or on behalf of Borrower to Lender in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements and the financing arrangements provided for herein.

1.41 “Intellectual Property” shall mean all of Borrower’s now owned and hereafter arising or acquired: patents, patent rights, patent applications, copyrights, works which are the subject matter of copyrights, copyright applications, copyright registrations, trademarks, servicemarks, trade names, trade styles, trademark and service mark applications, and licenses and rights to use any of the foregoing and all applications, registrations and recordings relating to any of the foregoing as may be filed in the United States Copyright Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof, any political subdivision thereof or in any other country or jurisdiction, together with all rights and privileges arising under applicable law with respect to Borrower’s use of any of the foregoing; all extensions, renewals, reissues, divisions, continuations, and continuations-in-part of any of the foregoing; all rights to sue for past, present and future infringement of any of the foregoing; inventions, trade secrets, formulae, processes, compounds, drawings, designs, blueprints, surveys, reports, manuals, and operating standards; goodwill (including any goodwill associated with any trademark or servicemark or the license of any trademark or servicemark); customer and other lists in whatever form maintained; trade secret rights, copyright rights, rights in works of authorship, domain names and domain name registration; software and contract rights relating to computer software programs, in whatever form created or maintained.

1.42 “Interest Rate” shall mean a rate equal to 1.75% per annum in excess of the LIBOR Market Index Rate; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Interest Rate shall mean the rate of 3.75% per annum in excess of the LIBOR Market Index Rate, at Lender’s option, without notice, (a) either (i) for the period on and after the date of termination or non-renewal hereof until such time as all Obligations are indefeasibly paid and satisfied in full in immediately available funds, or (ii) for the period from and after the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default, and for so long as such Event of Default is continuing as determined by Lender and (b) on the Revolving Loans at any time outstanding in excess of the Borrowing Base or the Revolving Loan Limit (whether or not such excess(es) arise or are made with or without Lender’s knowledge or consent and whether made before or after an Event of Default). If Lender determines that the LIBOR Market Index Rate is not available, the Interest Rate shall be the Prime Rate, increasing to the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum at Lender’s option during the periods and under the circumstances described above in this Section 1.41.

1.43 “Inventory” shall mean all of Borrower’s now owned and hereafter existing or acquired goods, wherever located, which (a) are leased by Borrower as lessor; (b) are held by Borrower for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service; (c) are furnished by Borrower under a contract of service; or (d) consist of raw materials, work in process, finished goods or materials used or consumed in its business.

 

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1.44 “Investment Property Control Agreement” shall mean an agreement in writing, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, by and among Lender, Borrower and any securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or other person who has custody, control or possession of any investment property of Borrower acknowledging that such securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or other person has custody, control or possession of such investment property on behalf of Lender, that it will comply with entitlement orders originated by Lender with respect to such investment property, or other instructions of Lender, and has such other terms and conditions as Lender may require.

1.45 “Lender” shall mean Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors and assigns.

1.46 “Lender Payment Account” shall mean account no. 5000-0000-30334 of Lender at Lender or such other account of Lender as Lender may from time to time designate to Borrower as the Lender Payment Account for purposes of this Agreement.

1.47 “Letter of Credit Documents” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (b) any collateral security for such obligations.

1.48 “Letter of Credit Limit” shall mean $1,000,000.

1.49 “Letter of Credit Obligations” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit for which Lender has not at such time been reimbursed.

1.50 “Letters of Credit” shall mean all stand-by letters of credit issued by Lender for the account of Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, and all amendments, renewals, extensions or replacements thereof.

1.51 “LIBOR Market Index Rate”, for any day, means the LIBOR Rate where LIBOR is defined as the rate for 1 month U.S. dollar deposits as reported on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day (or if not so reported, then as determined by Lender from another recognized source or interbank quotation).

1.52 “License Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.11 hereof.

1.53 “Loans” shall mean the Revolving Loans.

1.54 “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on (a) the financial condition, business, performance or operations of Borrower; (b) the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements; (c) the legality,

 

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validity, enforceability, perfection or priority of the security interests and liens of Lender upon the Collateral; (d) the Collateral or its value; (e) the ability of Borrower to repay the Obligations or of Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements as and when to be performed; or (f) the ability of Lender to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral or otherwise with respect to the rights and remedies of Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements.

1.55 “Material Contract” shall mean (a) any contract or other agreement (other than the Financing Agreements), written or oral, of Borrower involving monetary liability of or to any Person in an amount in excess of $250,000 in any fiscal year and (b) any other contract or other agreement (other than the Financing Agreements), whether written or oral, to which Borrower is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew by any party thereto would have a Material Adverse Effect.

1.56 “Material License Agreement” shall mean a License Agreement that constitutes a Material Contract.

1.57 “Maximum Credit” shall mean the amount of $8,000,000, as such amount may be increased in accordance with the terms of Section 2.1(d) hereof.

1.58 “Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a “multi-employer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is or was at any time during the current year or the immediately preceding six (6) years contributed to by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which Borrower, any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate may incur any liability.

1.59 “Net Recovery Percentage” shall mean the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (a) the numerator of which is the amount equal to the amount of the recovery in respect of the Inventory at such time on a “net orderly liquidation value” basis as set forth in the most recent acceptable appraisal of Inventory received by Lender in accordance with Section 7.3, net of operating expenses, liquidation expenses and commissions, and (b) the denominator of which is the applicable original cost of the aggregate amount of the Inventory subject to such appraisal.

1.60 “Obligations” shall mean any and all Revolving Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations, any Indebtedness arising out of or relating to any deposit accounts of Borrower at Lender or any Affiliate of Lender or any cash management services or other products or services, including merchant card and ACH transfer services, all existing and future obligations under any Swap Agreements between Lender or any Affiliate of Lender and Borrower whenever executed, to the extent such Swap Agreements relate to the Revolving Loans (including obligations under Swap Agreements entered into prior to any transfer or sale of Lender’s interests hereunder if Lender ceases to be a party hereto) and all other obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every kind, nature and description owing by Borrower to Lender and/or its Affiliates, including principal, interest, charges, fees, costs and expenses, however evidenced, whether as principal, surety, endorser, guarantor or otherwise, arising under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or on account of any Letter of Credit and all other Letter of Credit Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether arising before, during or after the initial or any renewal term of this Agreement or after the commencement of any case with respect to Borrower under the United States Bankruptcy Code or any similar statute (including

 

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the payment of interest and other amounts which would accrue and become due but for the commencement of such case, whether or not such amounts are allowed or allowable in whole or in part in such case), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, joint or several, due or not due, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated, or secured or unsecured.

1.61 “Obligor” shall mean any guarantor, endorser, acceptor, surety or other person liable on or with respect to the Obligations or who is the owner of any property which is security for the Obligations, other than Borrower.

1.62 “Pension Plan” shall mean a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which Borrower sponsors, maintains, or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

1.63 “Permitted Holders” shall mean the persons listed on Schedule 1.63 hereto.

1.64 “Person” or “person” shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation (including any corporation which elects subchapter S status under the Code), limited liability company, limited liability partnership, business trust, unincorporated association, joint stock corporation, trust, joint venture or other entity or any government or any agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof.

1.65 “Plan” shall mean an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which Borrower sponsors, maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, or in the case of a Multiemployer Plan has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding six (6) plan years or with respect to which Borrower may incur liability.

1.66 “Prime Rate” shall mean the rate from time to time publicly announced by Lender, or its successors, as its prime rate, whether or not such announced rate is the best rate available.

1.67 “Real Property” shall mean all now owned and hereafter acquired real property of Borrower, including leasehold interests, together with all buildings, structures, and other improvements located thereon and all licenses, easements and appurtenances relating thereto, wherever located.

1.68 “Receivables” shall mean all of the following now owned or hereafter arising or acquired property of Borrower: (a) all Accounts; (b) all interest, fees, late charges, penalties, collection fees and other amounts due or to become due or otherwise payable in connection with any Account; (c) all payment intangibles of Borrower; (d) letters of credit, indemnities, guarantees, security or other deposits and proceeds thereof issued payable to Borrower or otherwise in favor of or delivered to Borrower in connection with any Account; or (e) all other accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, instruments, notes, general intangibles and other forms of obligations owing to Borrower, whether from the sale and lease of goods or other property, licensing of any property (including Intellectual Property or other general intangibles), rendition of services or from loans or advances by Borrower or to or for the benefit of any third person

 

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(including loans or advances to any Affiliates or Subsidiaries of Borrower) or otherwise associated with any Accounts, Inventory or general intangibles of Borrower (including, without limitation, choses in action, causes of action, tax refunds, tax refund claims, any funds which may become payable to Borrower in connection with the termination of any Plan or other employee benefit plan and any other amounts payable to Borrower from any Plan or other employee benefit plan, rights and claims against carriers and shippers, rights to indemnification, business interruption insurance and proceeds thereof, casualty or any similar types of insurance and any proceeds thereof and proceeds of insurance covering the lives of employees on which Borrower is a beneficiary).

1.69 “Records” shall mean all of Borrower’s present and future books of account of every kind or nature, purchase and sale agreements, invoices, ledger cards, bills of lading and other shipping evidence, statements, correspondence, memoranda, credit files and other data relating to the Collateral or any account debtor, together with the tapes, disks, diskettes and other data and software storage media and devices, file cabinets or containers in or on which the foregoing are stored (including any rights of Borrower with respect to the foregoing maintained with or by any other person).

1.70 “Renewal Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1 hereof.

1.71 “Reserves” shall mean as of any date of determination, such amounts as Lender may from time to time establish and revise in good faith reducing the amount of Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit which would otherwise be available to Borrower under the lending formula(s) provided for herein: (a) to reflect events, conditions, contingencies or risks which, as determined by Lender in good faith, adversely affect, or would have a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting, either (i) the Collateral or any other property which is security for the Obligations, its value or the amount that might be received by Lender from the sale or other disposition or realization upon such Collateral, or (ii) the assets, business or prospects of Borrower or any Obligor or (iii) the security interests and other rights of Lender in the Collateral (including the enforceability, perfection and priority thereof) or (b) to reflect Lender’s good faith belief that any collateral report or financial information furnished by or on behalf of Borrower or any Obligor to Lender is or may have been incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect or (c) to reflect outstanding Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.2 hereof or (d) in respect of any state of facts which Lender determines in good faith constitutes a Default or an Event of Default. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Reserves may, at Lender’s option, be established to reflect: a change in the turnover, age or mix of the categories of Inventory that adversely affects the Net Recovery Percentage; amounts due or to become due to owners and lessors of premises where any Collateral is located, other than for those locations where Lender has received a Collateral Access Agreement that Lender has accepted in writing; liability of Lender or any of its Affiliates for Swap Agreements relating to this Agreement (calculated by Lender on a mark to market basis). The amount of any Reserve established by Lender shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter which is the basis for such reserve as determined by Lender in good faith and to the extent that such Reserve is in respect of amounts that may be payable to third parties Lender may, at its option, deduct such Reserve from the Revolving Loan Limit, at any time that such limit is less than the amount of the Borrowing Base.

 

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1.72 “Revolving Loan Limit” shall mean $8,000,000, as such amount may be increased in accordance with the terms of Section 2.1(d) hereof.

1.73 “Revolving Loans” shall mean the loans now or hereafter made by Lender to or for the benefit of Borrower on a revolving basis (involving advances, repayments and readvances) as set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.

1.74 “Solvent” shall mean, at any time with respect to any Person, that at such time such Person (a) is able to pay its debts as they mature and has (and has a reasonable basis to believe it will continue to have) sufficient capital (and not unreasonably small capital) to carry on its business consistent with its practices as of the date hereof, and (b) the assets and properties of such Person at a fair valuation (and including as assets for this purpose at a fair valuation all rights of subrogation, contribution or indemnification arising pursuant to any guarantees given by such Person) are greater than the Indebtedness of such Person, and including subordinated and contingent liabilities computed at the amount which, such person has a reasonable basis to believe, represents an amount which can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (and including as to contingent liabilities arising pursuant to any guarantee the face amount of such liability as reduced to reflect the probability of it becoming a matured liability).

1.75 “Subsidiary” or “subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or other limited or general partnership, trust, association or other business entity of which an aggregate of at least a majority of the outstanding Capital Stock or other interests entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, Capital Stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency), managers, trustees or other controlling persons, or an equivalent controlling interest therein, of such Person is, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more subsidiaries of such Person.

1.76 “Swap Agreement” has the meaning for swap agreement as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101, as in effect from time to time, or any successor statute, and includes, without limitation, any rate swap agreement, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, commodity option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange agreement, spot foreign exchange agreement, rate cap agreement, rate floor agreement, rate collar agreement, currency swap agreement, cross-currency rate swap agreement, currency option and any other similar agreement.

1.77 “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of North Carolina, and any successor statute, as in effect from time to time (except that terms used herein which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of North Carolina on the date hereof shall continue to have the same meaning notwithstanding any replacement or amendment of such statute except as Lender may otherwise determine).

1.78 “Value” shall mean, as determined by Lender in good faith, with respect to Inventory, the lower of (a) cost computed on a first-in first-out basis in accordance with GAAP or (b) market value provided, that, for purposes of the calculation of the Borrowing Base, (i) the Value of the Inventory shall not include: (A) the portion of the value of Inventory equal to the profit earned by any Affiliate on the sale thereof to Borrower or (B) write-ups or write-downs in

 

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value with respect to currency exchange rates and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the cost of the Inventory shall be computed in the same manner and consistent with the most recent appraisal of the Inventory received and accepted by Lender prior to the date hereof, if any.

1.79 “Voting Stock” shall mean with respect to any Person, (a) one (1) or more classes of Capital Stock of such Person having general voting powers to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person, irrespective of whether at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency, and (b) any Capital Stock of such Person convertible or exchangeable without restriction at the option of the holder thereof into Capital Stock of such Person described in clause (a) of this definition.

SECTION 2. CREDIT FACILITIES

2.1 Revolving Loans.

(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions contained herein, Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to Borrower from time to time in amounts requested by Borrower up to the amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the Borrowing Base or (ii) the Revolving Loan Limit.

(b) Except in Lender’s discretion, (i) the aggregate amount of the Loans and the Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Maximum Credit, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Borrowing Base or the Revolving Loan Limit.

(c) In the event that (i) the aggregate amount of the Loans and the Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding at any time exceed the Maximum Credit, or (ii) except as otherwise provided herein, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding exceed the Borrowing Base or the Revolving Loan Limit, such event shall not limit, waive or otherwise affect any rights of Lender in such circumstances or on any future occasions and Borrower shall, upon demand by Lender, which may be made at any time or from time to time, immediately repay to Lender the entire amount of any such excess(es) for which payment is demanded.

(d) On the date ten (10) days after receipt by Lender of Borrower’s written request, the Revolving Loan Limit and the Maximum Credit shall be increased by an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and Borrower executes any and all documents requested by Bank with respect to such increase.

2.2 Letters of Credit.

(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions contained herein and in the Letter of Credit Documents, at the request of Borrower, Lender agrees to issue for the account of Borrower one or more Letters of Credit, containing terms and conditions acceptable to Lender.

 

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(b) Borrower shall give Lender three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice of Borrower’s request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the original face amount of the Letter of Credit requested, the effective date (which date shall be a Business Day and in no event shall be a date less than ten (10) days prior to the end of the then current term of this Agreement) of issuance of such requested Letter of Credit, whether such Letter of Credit may be drawn in a single or in partial draws, the date on which such requested Letter of Credit is to expire (which date shall be a Business Day and shall not be more than one year from the date of issuance), the purpose for which such Letter of Credit is to be issued, and the beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit. Borrower shall attach to such notice the proposed terms of the Letter of Credit. The renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.

(c) In addition to being subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions precedent contained in Section 4 hereof and the other terms and conditions contained herein, no Letter of Credit shall be available unless each of the following conditions precedent have been satisfied in a manner satisfactory to Lender: (i) Borrower shall have delivered to Lender at such times and in such manner as Lender may require, an application in form and substance satisfactory to Lender for the issuance of the Letter of Credit and such other Letter of Credit Documents as may be required pursuant to the terms thereof, and the form and terms of the proposed Letter of Credit shall be satisfactory to Lender, (ii) as of the date of issuance, no order of any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain money center banks generally from issuing letters of credit of the type and in the amount of the proposed Letter of Credit, and no law, rule or regulation applicable to money center banks generally and no request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over money center banks generally shall prohibit, or request that Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the issuance of such Letters of Credit; (iii) after giving effect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Limit, and (iv) the Excess Availability, prior to giving effect to any Reserves with respect to such Letter of Credit, on the date of the proposed issuance of any Letter of Credit, shall be equal to or greater than an amount equal to one hundred (100%) percent of the Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto plus any additional amount to enable Borrower to remain in compliance with Section 9.20. Effective on the issuance of each Letter of Credit, a Reserve shall be established in an amount equal to one hundred (100%) of the Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto.

(d) Except in Lender’s discretion, the amount of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations shall not at any time exceed the Letter of Credit Limit.

(e) Borrower shall reimburse immediately Lender for any draw under any Letter of Credit and pay Lender the amount of all other charges and fees payable to Lender in connection with any Letter of Credit immediately when due, irrespective of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which Borrower may have at any time against Lender or any other Person. Each drawing under any Letter of Credit or other amount payable in connection therewith when due shall constitute a request by Borrower to Lender for a Revolving Loan in the amount of such drawing or other amount then due, and shall be made by Lender as a Revolving Loan. The date

 

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of such Loan shall be the date of the drawing or as to other amounts, the due date therefor. Any payment made to reimburse Lender in connection with any Letter of Credit shall constitute an additional Revolving Loan to Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.

(f) Borrower shall indemnify and hold Lender harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses which Lender may suffer or incur in connection with any Letter of Credit and any documents, drafts or acceptances relating thereto. Borrower assumes all risks with respect to the acts or omissions of the drawer under or beneficiary of any Letter of Credit and for such purposes the drawer or beneficiary shall be deemed Borrower’s agent. Borrower assumes all risks for, and agrees to pay, all foreign, Federal, State and local taxes, duties and levies relating to any goods subject to any Letter of Credit or any documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder. Borrower hereby releases and holds Lender harmless from and against any acts, waivers, errors, delays or omissions, with respect to or relating to any Letter of Credit, except for the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Lender as determined pursuant to a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section 2.2(f) shall survive the payment of Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(g) Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs Lender to name Borrower as the account party therein. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to grant Borrower any right or authority to pledge the credit of Lender in any manner. Borrower shall be bound by any reasonable interpretation made in good faith by Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or any documents, drafts or acceptances thereunder, notwithstanding that such interpretation may be inconsistent with any instructions of Borrower.

(h) The obligations of Borrower to pay each Letter of Credit Obligations shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever, notwithstanding the occurrence or continuance of any Default, Event of Default, the failure to satisfy any other condition set forth in Section 4 or any other event or circumstance.

(i) If at any time the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans is zero and the Letter of Credit Obligations exceed the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall immediately set up a cash reserve with Lender in the amount of such excess. Such excess shall be held by Lender as cash collateral for the Obligations.

SECTION 3. INTEREST AND FEES

3.1 Interest.

(a) Borrower shall pay to Lender interest on the outstanding principal amount of the Loans at the Interest Rate. All interest accruing hereunder on and after the date of any Event of Default or termination hereof shall be payable on demand.

(b) Interest on the Loans shall be payable by Borrower to Lender monthly in arrears not later than the first day of each calendar month and shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year and actual days elapsed.

 

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(c) Obligations (other than the Loans) shall be due and payable on demand and if not paid on demand, shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum until paid in full. Such interest shall be payable on demand and the foregoing rate shall increase or decrease by an amount equal to each increase or decrease in the Prime Rate effective on the date of any change in such Prime Rate. In no event shall charges constituting interest payable by Borrower to Lender exceed the maximum amount or the rate permitted under any applicable law or regulation, and if any such part or provision of this Agreement is in contravention of any such law or regulation, such part or provision shall be deemed amended to conform thereto.

3.2 Closing Fee. Borrower shall pay to Lender as a closing fee the amount of $25,000, which shall be fully earned and payable as of the date hereof.

3.3 Unused Line Fee. Borrower shall pay to Lender monthly an unused line fee at a rate equal to three eighths of one percent (.375%) per annum calculated upon the amount by which the Revolving Loan Limit exceeds the average daily principal balance of the outstanding Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit during the immediately preceding month (or part thereof) while this Agreement is in effect and for so long thereafter as any of the Obligations are outstanding, which fee shall be payable on the first day of each month in arrears.

3.4 Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower shall pay to Lender a fee at a rate equal to 1.75% per annum on the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit for the immediately preceding month (or part thereof), payable in arrears as of the first day of each succeeding month, computed for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration; except that Borrower shall pay, at Lender’s option, without notice, such fee at a rate two (2%) percent greater than the otherwise applicable rate on such average daily maximum amount for: (A) the period from and after the date of termination or non-renewal hereof until Lender has received full and final payment of all Obligations (notwithstanding entry of a judgment against Borrower) and (B) the period from and after the date of the occurrence of an Event of Default for so long as such Event of Default is continuing as determined by Lender. Such letter of credit fees shall be calculated on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year and actual days elapsed and the obligation of Borrower to pay such fee shall survive the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement. In addition to the letter of credit fees provided above, Borrower shall pay to Lender the letter of credit fronting and negotiation fees agreed to by Borrower and Lender from time to time and the customary charges from time to time of Lender with respect to the issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit.

3.5 Changes in Laws and Increased Costs of Loans. If after the date hereof, either (i) any change in, or in the interpretation of, any law or regulation is introduced, including, without limitation, with respect to reserve requirements, applicable to Lender or any banking or financial institution from whom Lender borrows funds or obtains credit (a “Funding Bank”), or (ii) a Funding Bank or Lender complies with any future guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority or (iii) a Funding Bank or Lender determines that the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof has or

 

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would have the effect described below, or a Funding Bank or Lender complies with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, and in the case of any event set forth in this clause (iii), such adoption, change or compliance has or would have the direct or indirect effect of reducing the rate of return on Lender’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration the Funding Bank’s or Lender’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by Lender to be material, and the result of any of the foregoing events described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) is or results in an increase in the cost to Lender of funding or maintaining the Loans or the Letters of Credit, then Borrower shall from time to time upon demand by Lender pay to Lender additional amounts sufficient to indemnify Lender against such increased cost on an after-tax basis (after taking into account applicable deductions and credits in respect of the amount indemnified). A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost shall be submitted to Borrower by Lender and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans and Letters of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make the initial Loans or to issue the initial Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the satisfaction of, or waiver of, immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a) all requisite corporate action and proceedings in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Lender, and Lender shall have received all information and copies of all documents, including records of requisite corporate action and proceedings which Lender may have requested in connection therewith, such documents where requested by Lender or its counsel to be certified by appropriate corporate officers or Governmental Authority (and including a copy of the certificate of incorporation of Borrower certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent Governmental Authority) which shall set forth the same complete corporate name of Borrower as is set forth herein and such document as shall set forth the organizational identification number of Borrower, if one is issued in its jurisdiction of incorporation);

(b) no material adverse change shall have occurred in the assets, business or prospects of Borrower since the date of Lender’s latest field examination (not including for this purpose the field review referred to in clause (c) below) and no change or event shall have occurred which would impair the ability of Borrower or any Obligor to perform its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Financing Agreements to which it is a party or of Lender to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral;

(c) Lender shall have completed a field review of the Records and such other information with respect to the Collateral as Lender may require to determine the amount of Revolving Loans available to Borrower (including, without limitation, current perpetual inventory records and/or roll-forwards of Inventory through the date of closing and test counts of the Inventory in a manner satisfactory to Lender, together with such supporting documentation as

 

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may be necessary or appropriate, and other documents and information that will enable Lender to accurately identify and verify the Collateral), the results of which in each case shall be satisfactory to Lender, not more than three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof or such earlier date as Lender may agree;

(d) Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, all consents, waivers, acknowledgments and other agreements from third persons which Lender may deem necessary or desirable in order to permit, protect and perfect its security interests in and liens upon the Collateral or to effectuate the provisions or purposes of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, including, without limitation, Collateral Access Agreements and Credit Card Processor agreements from all of Borrower’s Credit Card Processors;

(e) the Closing Date Excess Availability as determined by Lender, as of the date hereof, shall be not less than 20% of the Borrowing Base computed as of the date hereof after giving effect to the initial Loans made or to be made and Letters of Credit issued or to be issued in connection with the initial transactions hereunder;

(f) all deposit accounts of Borrower shall be maintained with Lender, in each case subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

(g) Lender shall have received evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, that Lender has a valid perfected first priority security interest in all of the Collateral;

(h) Lender shall have received and reviewed lien and judgment search results for the jurisdiction of organization of Borrower, the jurisdiction of the chief executive office of Borrower and all jurisdictions in which assets of Borrower are located, which search results shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

(i) Lender shall have received originals of the shares of the stock certificates representing all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Capital Stock of Borrower and owned by Borrower, in each case together with stock powers duly executed in blank with respect thereto;

(j) Lender shall have received evidence of insurance and loss payee endorsements required hereunder and under the other Financing Agreements, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, and certificates of insurance policies and/or endorsements naming Lender as loss payee, such insurance to include business interruption coverage (including coverage of Borrower’s website) and product liability coverage, in each case satisfactory to Lender;

(k) Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, such opinion letters of counsel to Borrower with respect to the Financing Agreements and such other matters as Lender may request;

(l) Lender shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Borrower has not granted nor been granted any royalty agreements or licenses;

 

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(m) Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses required to be paid by it under the term of this Agreement provided that the aggregate amount paid by Borrower to Lender for attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the closing of transactions rendered by this Agreement plus the expenses of the inventory appraisal and field examinations shall not exceed $50,000; and

(n) This Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and all instruments and documents hereunder and thereunder shall have been duly executed and delivered to Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

4.2 Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit. The obligation of Lender to make any of the Loans, including the initial Loans, or to issue any Letter of Credit, including the initial Letters of Credit, is subject to the further satisfaction of, or waiver of, immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of each such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Financing Agreements shall be true and correct with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of the making of each such Loan or providing each such Letter of Credit and after giving effect thereto, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and accurate on and as of such earlier date);

(b) no law, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall exist, and no action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding shall be pending or threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, which (i) purports to enjoin, prohibit, restrain or otherwise affect (A) the making of the Loans or providing the Letters of Credit, or (B) the consummation of the transactions contemplated pursuant to the terms hereof or the other Financing Agreements or (ii) has or has a reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing on and as of the date of the making of such Loan or providing each such Letter of Credit and after giving effect thereto.

SECTION 5. GRANT AND PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST

5.1 Grant of Security Interest. To secure payment and performance of all Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a continuing security interest in, a lien upon, and a right of set off against, and hereby assigns to Lender as security, all personal property of Borrower (excluding Equipment), whether now owned or hereafter acquired or existing, and wherever located (together with all other collateral security for the Obligations at any time granted to or held or acquired by Lender, collectively, the “Collateral”), including:

(a) all Accounts;

 

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(b) all general intangibles, including, without limitation, all Intellectual Property;

(c) all goods, including, without limitation, Inventory but excluding Equipment;

(d) all chattel paper, including, without limitation, all tangible and electronic chattel paper;

(e) all instruments, including, without limitation, all promissory notes;

(f) all documents;

(g) all deposit accounts;

(h) all letters of credit, banker’s acceptances and similar instruments and including all letter-of-credit rights;

(i) all supporting obligations and all present and future liens, security interests, rights, remedies, title and interest in, to and in respect of Receivables and other Collateral, including (i) rights and remedies under or relating to guaranties, contracts of suretyship, letters of credit and credit and other insurance related to the Collateral, (ii) rights of stoppage in transit, replevin, repossession, reclamation and other rights and remedies of an unpaid vendor, lienor or secured party, (iii) goods described in invoices, documents, contracts or instruments with respect to, or otherwise representing or evidencing, Receivables or other Collateral, including returned, repossessed and reclaimed goods, and (iv) deposits by and property of account debtors or other persons securing the obligations of account debtors;

(j) all (i) investment property (including securities, whether certificated or uncertificated, securities accounts, security entitlements, commodity contracts or commodity accounts) and (ii) monies, credit balances, deposits and other property of Borrower now or hereafter held or received by or in transit to Lender or its Affiliates or at any other depository or other institution from or for the account of Borrower, whether for safekeeping, pledge, custody, transmission, collection or otherwise;

(k) all commercial tort claims, including, without limitation, those identified in the Information Certificate;

(l) to the extent not otherwise described above, all Receivables;

(m) all Records; and

(n) all products and proceeds of the foregoing, in any form, including insurance proceeds and all claims against third parties for loss or damage to or destruction of or other involuntary conversion of any kind or nature of any or all of the other Collateral.

 

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5.2 Perfection of Security Interests.

(a) Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally authorizes Lender (or its agent) to file at any time and from time to time such financing statements with respect to the Collateral naming Lender or its designee as the secured party and Borrower as debtor, as Lender may require, and including any other information with respect to Borrower or otherwise required by part 5 of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of such jurisdiction as Lender may determine, together with any amendment and continuations with respect thereto, which authorization shall apply to all financing statements filed on, prior to or after the date hereof. Borrower hereby ratifies and approves all financing statements naming Lender or its designee as secured party and Borrower as debtor with respect to the Collateral (and any amendments with respect to such financing statements) filed by or on behalf of Lender prior to the date hereof and ratifies and confirms the authorization of Lender to file such financing statements (and amendments, if any). Borrower hereby authorizes Lender to adopt on behalf of Borrower any symbol required for authenticating any electronic filing. In the event that the description of the collateral in any financing statement naming Lender or its designee as the secured party and Borrower as debtor includes assets and properties of Borrower that do not at any time constitute Collateral, whether hereunder, under any of the other Financing Agreements or otherwise, the filing of such financing statement shall nonetheless be deemed authorized by Borrower to the extent of the Collateral included in such description and it shall not render the financing statement ineffective as to any of the Collateral or otherwise affect the financing statement as it applies to any of the Collateral. In no event shall Borrower at any time file, or permit or cause to be filed, any correction statement or termination statement with respect to any financing statement (or amendment or continuation with respect thereto) naming Lender or its designee as secured party and Borrower as debtor.

(b) Borrower does not have any chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic) or instruments as of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Information Certificate. In the event that Borrower shall be entitled to or shall receive any chattel paper or instrument after the date hereof, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing. Promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on behalf of Borrower (including by any agent or representative), Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to Lender, all tangible chattel paper and instruments that Borrower or may at any time acquire, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as Lender may from time to time specify, in each case except as Lender may otherwise agree. At Lender’s option, Borrower shall, or Lender may at any time on behalf of Borrower, cause the original of any such instrument or chattel paper to be conspicuously marked in a form and manner acceptable to Lender with the following legend referring to chattel paper or instruments as applicable: “This [chattel paper] [instrument] is subject to the security interest of Wachovia Bank, National Association and any sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance of this [chattel paper] [instrument] violates the rights of such secured party.”

(c) In the event that Borrower shall at any time hold or acquire an interest in any electronic chattel paper or any “transferable record” (as such term is defined in Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction), Borrower shall

 

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promptly notify Lender thereof in writing. Promptly upon Lender’s request, Borrower shall take, or cause to be taken, such actions as Lender may request to give Lender control of such electronic chattel paper under Section 9-105 of the UCC and control of such transferable record under Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or, as the case may be, Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as in effect in such jurisdiction.

(d) Borrower does not have any deposit accounts as of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Information Certificate. Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, after the date hereof open, establish or maintain any deposit account unless each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) Lender shall have received not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice of the intention of Borrower to open or establish such account which notice shall specify in reasonable detail and specificity acceptable to Lender the name of the account, the owner of the account, the name and address of the bank at which such account is to be opened or established, the individual at such bank with whom Borrower is dealing and the purpose of the account, (ii) the bank where such account is opened or maintained shall be acceptable to Lender, and (iii) on or before the opening of such deposit account, Borrower shall as Lender may specify either (A) deliver to Lender a Deposit Account Control Agreement with respect to such deposit account duly authorized, executed and delivered by Borrower and the bank at which such deposit account is opened and maintained or (B) arrange for Lender to become the customer of the bank with respect to the deposit account on terms and conditions acceptable to Lender. The terms of this subsection (d) shall not apply to deposit accounts specifically and exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s salaried employees.

(e) Borrower does not own or hold, directly or indirectly, beneficially or as record owner or both, any investment property, as of the date hereof, or have any investment account, securities account, commodity account or other similar account with any bank or other financial institution or other securities intermediary or commodity intermediary as of the date hereof, in each case except as set forth in the Information Certificate.

(i) In the event that Borrower shall be entitled to or shall at any time after the date hereof hold or acquire any certificated securities, Borrower shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to Lender, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as Lender may from time to time specify. If any securities, now or hereafter acquired by Borrower are uncertificated and are issued to Borrower or its nominee directly by the issuer thereof, Borrower shall immediately notify Lender thereof and shall as Lender may specify, either (A)cause the issuer to agree to comply with instructions from Lender as to such securities, without further consent of Borrower or such nominee, or (B)arrange for Lender to become the registered owner of the securities.

(ii) Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, after the date hereof open, establish or maintain any investment account, securities account, commodity account or any other similar account (other than a deposit account) with any securities intermediary or commodity intermediary unless each of the following conditions is satisfied: (A) Lender shall have received not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice of the intention of

 

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Borrower to open or establish such account which notice shall specify in reasonable detail and specificity acceptable to Lender the name of the account, the owner of the account, the name and address of the securities intermediary or commodity intermediary at which such account is to be opened or established, the individual at such intermediary with whom Borrower is dealing and the purpose of the account, (B) the securities intermediary or commodity intermediary (as the case may be) where such account is opened or maintained shall be acceptable to Lender, and (C) on or before the opening of such investment account, securities account or other similar account with a securities intermediary or commodity intermediary, Borrower shall as Lender may specify either (i) execute and deliver, and cause to be executed and delivered to Lender, an Investment Property Control Agreement with respect thereto duly authorized, executed and delivered by Borrower and such securities intermediary or commodity intermediary or (ii) arrange for Lender to become the entitlement holder with respect to such investment property on terms and conditions acceptable to Lender.

(f) Borrower is not the beneficiary or otherwise entitled to any right to payment under any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar instrument as of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Information Certificate. In the event that Borrower shall be entitled to or shall receive any right to payment under any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or any similar instrument, whether as beneficiary thereof or otherwise after the date hereof, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing. Borrower shall immediately, as Lender may specify, either (i) deliver, or cause to be delivered to Lender, with respect to any such letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar instrument, the written agreement of any nominated person obligated to make any payment in respect thereof (including any confirming or negotiating bank), in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, consenting to the assignment of the proceeds of the letter of credit to Lender by Borrower and agreeing to make all payments thereon directly to Lender or as Lender may otherwise direct or (ii) cause Lender to become, at Borrower’s expense, the transferee beneficiary of the letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar instrument (as the case may be).

(g) Borrower has no commercial tort claims as of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Information Certificate. In the event that Borrower shall at any time after the date hereof have any commercial tort claims, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing, which notice shall (i) set forth in reasonable detail the basis for and nature of such commercial tort claim and (ii) include the express grant by Borrower to Lender of a security interest in such commercial tort claim (and the proceeds thereof). In the event that such notice does not include such grant of a security interest, the sending thereof by Borrower to Lender shall be deemed to constitute such grant to Lender. Upon the sending of such notice, any commercial tort claim described therein shall constitute part of the Collateral and shall be deemed included therein. Without limiting the authorization of Lender provided in Section 5.2(a) hereof or otherwise arising by the execution by Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements, Lender is hereby irrevocably authorized from time to time and at any time to file such financing statements naming Lender or its designee as secured party and Borrower as debtor, or any amendments to any financing statements, covering any such commercial tort claim as Collateral. In addition, Borrower shall promptly upon Lender’s request, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to Lender such other agreements, documents and instruments as Lender may require in connection with such commercial tort claim.

 

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(h) Borrower does not have any goods, documents of title or other Collateral in the custody, control or possession of a third party as of the date hereof, except as set forth in the Information Certificate and except for goods located in the United States in transit to a location of Borrower permitted herein in the ordinary course of business of Borrower in the possession of the carrier transporting such goods. In the event that any goods, documents of title or other Collateral are at any time after the date hereof in the custody, control or possession of any other person not referred to in the Information Certificate or such carriers, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof in writing. Promptly upon Lender’s request, Borrower shall deliver to Lender a Collateral Access Agreement duly authorized, executed and delivered by such person and Borrower.

(i) Borrower shall take any other actions reasonably requested by Lender from time to time to cause the attachment, perfection and first priority of, and the ability of Lender to enforce, the security interest of Lender in any and all of the Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) executing, delivering and, where appropriate, filing financing statements and amendments relating thereto under the UCC or other applicable law, to the extent, if any, that Borrower’s signature thereon is required therefor, (ii) causing Lender’s name to be noted as secured party on any certificate of title for a titled good if such notation is a condition to attachment, perfection or priority of, or ability of Lender to enforce, the security interest of Lender in such Collateral, (iii) complying with any provision of any statute, regulation or treaty of the United States as to any Collateral if compliance with such provision is a condition to attachment, perfection or priority of, or ability of Lender to enforce, the security interest of Lender in such Collateral, (iv) obtaining the consents and approvals of any Governmental Authority or third party, including, without limitation, any consent of any licensor, lessor or other person obligated on Collateral, and taking all actions required by any earlier versions of the UCC or by other law, as applicable in any relevant jurisdiction.

SECTION 6. COLLECTION AND ADMINISTRATION

6.1 Borrower’s Loan Account. Lender shall maintain one or more loan account(s) on its books in which shall be recorded (a) all Loans, Letters of Credit and other Obligations and the Collateral, (b) all payments made by or on behalf of Borrower and (c) all other appropriate debits and credits as provided in this Agreement, including fees, charges, costs, expenses and interest. All entries in the loan account(s) shall be made in accordance with Lender’s customary practices as in effect from time to time.

6.2 Statements. Lender shall render to Borrower each month a statement setting forth the balance in the Borrower’s loan account(s) maintained by Lender for Borrower pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including principal, interest, fees, costs and expenses. Each such statement shall be subject to subsequent adjustment by Lender but shall, absent manifest errors or omissions, be considered correct and deemed accepted by Borrower and conclusively binding upon Borrower as an account stated except to the extent that Lender receives a written notice from Borrower of any specific exceptions of Borrower thereto within thirty (30) days after the

 

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date such statement has been mailed by Lender. Until such time as Lender shall have rendered to Borrower a written statement as provided above, the balance in Borrower’s loan account(s) shall be presumptive evidence of the amounts due and owing to Lender by Borrower.

6.3 Collection of Accounts.

(a) Borrower shall establish and maintain, at its expense, blocked accounts or lockboxes and related blocked accounts (in either case, “Blocked Accounts”), as Lender may specify, with such banks as are acceptable to Lender into which Borrower shall promptly deposit and direct its account debtors to directly remit all payments on Receivables and all payments constituting proceeds of Inventory or other Collateral in the identical form in which such payments are made, whether by cash, check or other manner. Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to Lender, a Deposit Account Control Agreement duly authorized, executed and delivered by each bank where a Blocked Account is maintained as provided in Section 5.2 hereof or at any time and from time to time Lender may become bank’s customer with respect to any of the Blocked Accounts and promptly upon Lender’s request, Borrower shall execute and deliver such agreements or documents as Lender may require in connection therewith. Borrower agrees that all payments made to such Blocked Accounts or other funds received and collected by Lender, whether in respect of the Receivables, as proceeds of Inventory or other Collateral or otherwise shall be treated as payments to Lender in respect of the Obligations and therefore shall constitute the property of Lender to the extent of the then outstanding Obligations.

(b) For purposes of calculating the amount of the Loans available to Borrower, such payments will be applied (conditional upon final collection) to the Obligations on the Business Day of receipt by Lender of immediately available funds in the Lender Payment Account provided such payments and notice thereof are received in accordance with Lender’s usual and customary practices as in effect from time to time and within sufficient time to credit Borrower’s loan account on such day, and if not, then on the next Business Day. For the purposes of calculating interest on the Obligations, such payments or other funds received will be applied (conditional upon final collection) to the Obligations, on the Business Day of receipt of immediately available funds by Lender in the Lender Payment Account provided such payments or other funds and notice thereof are received in accordance with Lender’s usual and customary practices as in effect from time to time and within sufficient time to credit Borrower’s loan account on such day, and if not, then on the next Business Day. In the event that at any time or from time to time there are no Revolving Loans outstanding, Lender shall be entitled to an administrative fee in an amount calculated based on the Interest Rate (on a per annum basis) multiplied by the amount of the funds received in the Blocked Account for such day as calculated by Lender in accordance with its customary practice.

(c) Borrower and its employees, agents and Subsidiaries shall, acting as trustee for Lender, receive, as the property of Lender, any monies, checks, notes, drafts or any other payment relating to and/or proceeds of Accounts or other Collateral which come into their possession or under their control and immediately upon receipt thereof, shall deposit or cause the same to be deposited in the Blocked Accounts, or remit the same or cause the same to be remitted, in kind, to Lender. In no event shall the same be commingled with Borrower’s own funds. Borrower agrees to reimburse Lender on demand for any amounts owed or paid to any

 

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bank or other financial institution at which a Blocked Account or any other deposit account or investment account is established or any other bank, financial institution or other person involved in the transfer of funds to or from the Blocked Accounts arising out of Lender’s payments to or indemnification of such bank, financial institution or other person. The obligation of Borrower to reimburse Lender for such amounts pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall survive the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.

6.4 Payments.

(a) All Obligations shall be payable to the Lender Payment Account as provided in Section 6.3 or such other place as Lender may designate from time to time. Subject to the other terms and conditions contained herein, Lender shall apply payments received or collected from Borrower or for the account of Borrower (including the monetary proceeds of collections or of realization upon any Collateral) as follows: first, to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to Lender from Borrower; second, to pay interest due in respect of any Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations; third, to pay or prepay principal in respect of the Loans or amounts then due in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations; fourth, to pay or prepay any other Obligations whether or not then due, in such order and manner as Lender determines and at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, to provide cash collateral for any Letter of Credit Obligations.

(b) At Lender’s option, all principal, interest, fees, costs, expenses and other charges provided for in this Agreement or the other Financing Agreements may be charged directly to the loan account(s) of Borrower. Borrower shall make all payments to Lender on the Obligations free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any setoff, counterclaim, defense, duties, taxes, levies, imposts, fees, deductions, withholding, restrictions or conditions of any kind. If after receipt of any payment of, or proceeds of Collateral applied to the payment of, any of the Obligations, Lender is required to surrender or return such payment or proceeds to any Person for any reason, then the Obligations intended to be satisfied by such payment or proceeds shall be reinstated and continue and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Lender. Borrower shall be liable to pay to Lender, and does hereby indemnify and hold Lender harmless for the amount of any payments or proceeds surrendered or returned. This Section 6.4 shall remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by Lender in reliance upon such payment or proceeds. This Section 6.4(b) shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

6.5 Authorization to Make Loans. Lender is authorized to make the Loans based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an officer of Borrower or other authorized person or, at the discretion of Lender, if such Loans are necessary to satisfy any Obligations. All requests for Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder shall specify the date on which the requested advance is to be made (which day shall be a Business Day) and the amount of the requested Loan. Requests received after 11:00 a.m. Charlotte time on any day shall be deemed to have been made as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day. All Loans and Letters of Credit under this Agreement shall be conclusively presumed to have been made to, and at the request of and for the benefit of, Borrower when deposited to the credit of Borrower or otherwise disbursed or established in accordance with the instructions of Borrower or in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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6.6 Use of Proceeds. Borrower shall use the initial proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit hereunder only for: (a) payments to each of the persons listed in the disbursement direction letter furnished by Borrower to Lender on or about the date hereof and (b) costs, expenses and fees in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements. All other Loans made or Letters of Credit provided by Lender to or for the benefit of Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be used by Borrower only for general operating, working capital and other proper corporate purposes of Borrower not otherwise prohibited by the terms hereof. None of the proceeds will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security or for the purposes of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Loans to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended.

SECTION 7. COLLATERAL REPORTING AND COVENANTS

7.1 Collateral Reporting.

(a) Borrower shall provide Lender with the following documents in a form satisfactory to Lender:

(i) as soon as possible after the end of each week (but in any event within three (3) Business Days after the end thereof), on a weekly basis or more frequently as Lender may request, (A) a borrowing base certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion computed as of the last day of the prior week, (B) schedules of sales made, orders taken, average order values, credits issued, collections, cash received, payments to Affiliates and payments from Affiliates during the prior week, and (C) a summary of inventory and inventory returns as of the last day of the prior week;

(ii) as soon as possible after the end of each month (but in any event within fifteen (15) days after the end thereof), on a monthly basis or more frequently as Lender may request, (A) perpetual inventory reports, (B) inventory reports by location and category and by mix and age (including the amounts of Inventory and the value thereof at any leased locations and at premises of warehouses, processors or other third parties), (C) a detailed listing of inventory that is 180 days from expiration date, (D) a detailed listing of inventory that is 365 days from expiration date and (E) agings of accounts payable (and including information indicating the amounts owing to owners and lessors of leased premises, warehouses, processors and other third parties from time to time in possession of any Collateral);

(iii) upon Lender’s request, (A) copies of customer statements, purchase orders, sales invoices, credit memos, remittance advices and reports, and copies of deposit slips and bank statements, (B) copies of shipping and delivery documents, and (C) copies of purchase orders, invoices and delivery documents for Inventory acquired by Borrower;

 

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(iv) such other reports as to the Collateral as Lender shall request from time to time; and

(b) If any of Borrower’s records or reports of the Collateral are prepared or maintained by an accounting service, contractor, shipper or other agent, Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes such service, contractor, shipper or agent to deliver such records, reports, and related documents to Lender and to follow Lender’s instructions with respect to further services at any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing.

7.2 Accounts Covenants.

(a) Borrower shall notify Lender promptly of: (i) any material delay in Borrower’s performance of any of its obligations to any account debtor or the assertion of any claims, offsets, defenses or counterclaims by any account debtor, or any disputes with account debtors, or any settlement, adjustment or compromise thereof and (ii) all material adverse information relating to the financial condition of any account debtor. No credit, discount, allowance or extension or agreement for any of the foregoing shall be granted to any account debtor without Lender’s consent, except in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business in accordance with practices and policies previously disclosed in writing to Lender and except as set forth in the schedules delivered to Lender pursuant to Section 7.1(a) above. So long as no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with any account debtor. At any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall, at its option, have the exclusive right to settle, adjust or compromise any claim, offset, counterclaim or dispute with account debtors or grant any credits, discounts or allowances.

(b) With respect to each Account: (i) the amounts shown on any invoice delivered to Lender or schedule thereof delivered to Lender shall be true and complete, (ii) no payments shall be made thereon except payments immediately delivered to Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) no credit, discount, allowance or extension or agreement for any of the foregoing shall be granted to any account debtor except as reported to Lender in accordance with this Agreement and except for credits, discounts, allowances or extensions made or given in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business in accordance with practices and policies previously disclosed to Lender, (iv) there shall be no setoffs, deductions, contras, defenses, counterclaims or disputes existing or asserted with respect thereto except as reported to Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (v) none of the transactions giving rise thereto will violate any applicable foreign, Federal, State or local laws or regulations, all documentation relating thereto will be legally sufficient under such laws and regulations and all such documentation will be legally enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(c) Lender shall have the right at any time or times, in Lender’s name or in the name of a nominee of Lender, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any Receivables or other Collateral, by mail, telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise.

7.3 Inventory Covenants. With respect to the Inventory: (a) Borrower shall at all times maintain inventory records reasonably satisfactory to Lender, keeping correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory, Borrower’s

 

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cost therefor and daily withdrawals therefrom and additions thereto; (b) Borrower shall conduct a physical count of the Inventory at least once each year, but at any time or times as Lender may request on or after an Event of Default, and promptly following such physical inventory shall supply Lender with a report in the form and with such specificity as may be satisfactory to Lender concerning such physical count; (c) Borrower shall not remove any Inventory from the locations set forth or permitted herein, without the prior written consent of Lender, except for sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business and except to move Inventory directly from one location set forth or permitted herein to another such location and except for Inventory shipped from the manufacturer thereof to Borrower which is in transit to the locations set forth or permitted herein; (d) upon Lender’s request, Borrower shall, at its expense, no more than two (2) times in any twelve (12) month period, but at any time or times as Lender may request on or after an Event of Default, deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender written appraisals as to the Inventory in form, scope and methodology acceptable to Lender and by an appraiser acceptable to Lender, addressed to Lender and upon which Lender is expressly permitted to rely; (e) Borrower shall produce, use, store and maintain the Inventory with all reasonable care and caution and in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in conformity with applicable laws (including the requirements of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended and all rules, regulations and orders related thereto); (f) none of the Inventory or other Collateral constitutes farm products or the proceeds thereof; (g) Borrower assumes all responsibility and liability arising from or relating to the production, use, sale or other disposition of the Inventory; (h) Borrower shall not sell Inventory to any customer on approval, or any other basis which entitles the customer to return or may obligate Borrower to repurchase such Inventory; (i) Borrower shall keep the Inventory in good and marketable condition; and (j) Borrower shall not, without prior written notice to Lender or the specific identification of such Inventory in a report with respect thereto provided by Borrower to Lender pursuant to Section 7.1(a) hereof, acquire or accept any Inventory on consignment or approval.

7.4 [intentionally left blank].

7.5 Power of Attorney. Borrower hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Lender (and all persons designated by Lender) as Borrower’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, and authorizes Lender, in Borrower’s or Lender’s name, to: (a) at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing (i) demand payment on Receivables or other Collateral, (ii) enforce payment of Receivables by legal proceedings or otherwise, (iii) exercise all of Borrower’s rights and remedies to collect any Receivable or other Collateral, (iv) sell or assign any Receivable upon such terms, for such amount and at such time or times as the Lender deems advisable, (v) settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew an Account, (vi) discharge and release any Receivable, (vii) prepare, file and sign Borrower’s name on any proof of claim in bankruptcy or other similar document against an account debtor or other obligor in respect of any Receivables or other Collateral, (viii) notify the post office authorities to change the address for delivery of remittances from account debtors or other obligors in respect of Receivables or other proceeds of Collateral to an address designated by Lender, and open and dispose of all mail addressed to Borrower and handle and store all mail relating to the Collateral; and (ix) do all acts and things which are necessary, in Lender’s determination, to fulfill Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements and (b) at any time to (i) take control in any manner of any item of payment in respect of Receivables or constituting Collateral or otherwise

 

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received in or for deposit in the Blocked Accounts or otherwise received by Lender, (ii) have access to any lockbox or postal box into which remittances from account debtors or other obligors in respect of Receivables or other proceeds of Collateral are sent or received, (iii) endorse Borrower’s name upon any items of payment in respect of Receivables or constituting Collateral or otherwise received by Lender and deposit the same in Lender’s account for application to the Obligations, (iv) endorse Borrower’s name upon any chattel paper, document, instrument, invoice, or similar document or agreement relating to any Receivable or any goods pertaining thereto or any other Collateral, including any warehouse or other receipts, or bills of lading and other negotiable or non-negotiable documents, (v) clear Inventory the purchase of which was financed with a Letter of Credit through U.S. Customs or foreign export control authorities in Borrower’s name, Lender’s name or the name of Lender’s designee, and to sign and deliver to customs officials powers of attorney in Borrower’s name for such purpose, and to complete in Borrower’s or Lender’s name, any order, sale or transaction, obtain the necessary documents in connection therewith and collect the proceeds thereof, (vi) sign Borrower’s name on any verification of Receivables and notices thereof to account debtors or any secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof. Borrower hereby releases Lender and its officers, employees and designees from any liabilities arising from any act or acts under this power of attorney and in furtherance thereof, whether of omission or commission, except as a result of Lender’s own gross negligence or wilful misconduct as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

7.6 Right to Cure. Lender may, at its option, (a) upon notice to Borrower, cure any default by Borrower under any material agreement with a third party that affects the Collateral, its value or the ability of Lender to collect, sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or the rights and remedies of Lender therein or the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or under the other Financing Agreements, (b) pay or bond on appeal any judgment entered against Borrower, (c) discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied on or existing with respect to the Collateral and (d) pay any amount, incur any expense or perform any act which, in Lender’s judgment, is necessary or appropriate to preserve, protect, insure or maintain the Collateral and the rights of Lender with respect thereto. Lender may add any amounts so expended to the Obligations and charge Borrower’s account therefor, such amounts to be repayable by Borrower on demand. Lender shall be under no obligation to effect such cure, payment or bonding and shall not, by doing so, be deemed to have assumed any obligation or liability of Borrower. Any payment made or other action taken by Lender under this Section shall be without prejudice to any right to assert an Event of Default hereunder and to proceed accordingly.

7.7 Access to Premises. From time to time as requested by Lender, at the cost and expense of Borrower, (a) Lender or its designee shall have complete access to all of Borrower’s premises during normal business hours and after reasonable notice to Borrower, or at any time and without notice to Borrower if an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, for the purposes of inspecting, verifying and auditing the Collateral and all of Borrower’s books and records, including the Records, and (b) Borrower shall promptly furnish to Lender such copies of such books and records or extracts therefrom as Lender may request, and (c) Lender or its designee may use during normal business hours such of Borrower’s personnel, equipment, supplies and premises as may be reasonably necessary for the foregoing and if an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing for the collection of Receivables and realization of other Collateral.

 

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SECTION 8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Lender the following (which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement):

8.1 Corporate Existence; Power and Authority. Borrower is a corporation duly organized and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing in all states or other jurisdictions where the nature and extent of the business transacted by it or the ownership of assets makes such qualification necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on Borrower’s financial condition, results of operation or business or the rights of Lender in or to any of the Collateral. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder (a) are all within Borrower’s corporate powers, (b) have been duly authorized, (c) are not in contravention of law or the terms of Borrower’s certificate of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational documentation, or any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower or its property are bound and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or require or give rise to any obligation to grant, any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any property of Borrower. This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

8.2 Name; State of Organization; Chief Executive Office; Collateral Locations.

(a) The exact legal name of Borrower is as set forth on the signature page of this Agreement and in the Information Certificate. Borrower has not, during the five years prior to the date of this Agreement, been known by or used any other corporate or fictitious name or been a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, or acquired any of its property or assets out of the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in the Information Certificate.

(b) Borrower is an organization of the type and organized in the jurisdiction set forth in the Information Certificate. The Information Certificate accurately sets forth the organizational identification number of Borrower or accurately states that Borrower has none and accurately sets forth the federal employer identification number of Borrower.

(c) The chief executive office and mailing address of Borrower and Borrower’s Records concerning Accounts are located only at the address identified as such in Schedule 8.2 to the Information Certificate and its only other places of business and the only other locations of Collateral, if any, are the addresses set forth in Schedule 8.2 to the Information Certificate, subject to the right of Borrower to establish new locations in accordance with Section 9.2 below. The Information Certificate correctly identifies any of such locations which are not owned by Borrower and sets forth the owners and/or operators thereof.

 

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8.3 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change. All financial statements relating to Borrower which have been or may hereafter be delivered by Borrower to Lender have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as to any interim financial statements, to the extent such statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments and do not include any notes) and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operation of Borrower as at the dates and for the periods set forth therein. Except as disclosed in any interim financial statements furnished by Borrower to Lender prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been no act, condition or event which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect since the date of the most recent audited financial statements furnished by Borrower to Lender prior to the date of this Agreement. The projections dated May, 2007 for the fiscal years ending 2007 through 2008 that have been delivered to Lender or any projections hereafter delivered to Lender have been prepared in light of the past operations of the business of Borrower and are based upon estimates and assumptions stated therein, all of which Borrower has determined to be reasonable and fair in light of the then current conditions and current facts and reflect the good faith and reasonable estimates of Borrower of the future financial performance of Borrower and its Subsidiaries and of the other information projected therein for the periods set forth therein.

8.4 Priority of Liens; Title to Properties. The security interests and liens granted to Lender under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements constitute valid and perfected first priority liens and security interests in and upon the Collateral subject only to the liens indicated on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate and the other liens permitted under Section 9.8 hereof. Borrower has good and marketable fee simple title to or valid leasehold interests in all of its Real Property and good, valid and merchantable title to all of its other properties and assets subject to no liens, mortgages, pledges, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind, except those granted to Lender and such others as are specifically listed on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate or permitted under Section 9.8 hereof.

8.5 Tax Returns. Borrower has filed, or caused to be filed, in a timely manner all tax returns, reports and declarations which are required to be filed by it. All information in such tax returns, reports and declarations is complete and accurate in all material respects. Borrower has paid or caused to be paid all taxes due and payable or claimed due and payable in any assessment received by it, except taxes the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to Borrower and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books. Adequate provision has been made for the payment of all accrued and unpaid Federal, State, county, local, foreign and other taxes whether or not yet due and payable and whether or not disputed.

8.6 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 8.6 to the Information Certificate, there is no investigation by any Governmental Authority pending, or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge threatened, against or affecting Borrower, its assets or business and there is no action, suit, proceeding or claim by any Person pending, or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge threatened, against Borrower or its assets or goodwill, or against or affecting any transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case which if adversely determined against Borrower has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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8.7 Compliance with Other Agreements and Applicable Laws.

(a) Borrower is not in default in any respect under, or in violation in any respect of the terms of, any material agreement, contract, instrument, lease or other commitment to which it is a party or by which it or any of its assets are bound and Borrower is in compliance with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority relating to its business, including, without limitation, those set forth in or promulgated pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, ERISA, the Code, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and all Environmental Laws.

(b) Borrower has obtained all material permits, licenses, approvals, consents, certificates, orders or authorizations of any Governmental Authority required for the lawful conduct of its business (the “Permits”). All of the Permits are valid and subsisting and in full force and effect. There are no actions, claims or proceedings pending or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or modification of any of the Permits.

8.8 Environmental Compliance.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, Borrower and any Subsidiary have not generated, used, stored, treated, transported, manufactured, handled, produced or disposed of any Hazardous Materials, on or off its premises (whether or not owned by it) in any manner which at any time violates in any material respect any applicable Environmental Law or Permit, and the operations of Borrower and any Subsidiary complies in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and all Permits.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, there has been no investigation by any Governmental Authority or any proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claim, citation or notice by any Governmental Authority or any other person nor is any pending or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge threatened, with respect to any non-compliance with or violation of the requirements of any Environmental Law by Borrower and any Subsidiary or the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Materials or any other environmental, health or safety matter, which adversely affects or could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect Borrower or its business, operations or assets or any properties at which Borrower has transported, stored or disposed of any Hazardous Materials.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.8 to the Information Certificate, Borrower and its Subsidiaries have no material liability (contingent or otherwise) in connection with a release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Materials or the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, manufacture, handling, production or disposal of any Hazardous Materials.

(d) Borrower and its Subsidiaries have all Permits required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operations of Borrower under any Environmental Law and all of such licenses, certificates, approvals or similar authorizations and other Permits are valid and in full force and effect.

 

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8.9 Employee Benefits.

(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or State law. Each Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such qualification. Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates have made all required contributions to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and no application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

(b) There are no pending or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan.

(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) based on the latest valuation of each Pension Plan and on the actuarial methods and assumptions employed for such valuation (determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding such Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code) the aggregate current value of accumulated benefit liabilities of such Pension Plan under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA does not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Pension Plan; (iii) Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred and do not reasonably expect to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred and do not reasonably expect to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates have not engaged in a transaction that would be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

8.10 Bank Accounts. All of the deposit accounts, investment accounts or other accounts in the name of or used by Borrower maintained at any bank or other financial institution are set forth on Schedule 8.10 to the Information Certificate, subject to the right of Borrower to establish new accounts in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof.

8.11 Intellectual Property. Borrower owns or licenses or otherwise has the right to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of its business as presently conducted or proposed to be conducted. As of the date hereof, Borrower does not have any Intellectual Property registered, or subject to pending applications, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar office or agency in the United States, any State thereof, any political subdivision thereof or in any other country, other than those described in Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate and has not granted any licenses with respect thereto other than as set forth in Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate. No event has occurred which permits or would permit after notice or passage of time or both, the revocation, suspension or termination of

 

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such rights. To the best of Borrower’s knowledge, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance or other Intellectual Property or goods bearing or using any Intellectual Property presently contemplated to be sold by or employed by Borrower infringes any patent, trademark, servicemark, tradename, copyright, license or other Intellectual Property owned by any other Person presently and no claim or litigation is pending or threatened against or affecting Borrower contesting its right to sell or use any such Intellectual Property. Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate sets forth all of the agreements or other arrangements of Borrower pursuant to which Borrower has a license or other right to use any trademarks, logos, designs, representations or other Intellectual Property owned by another person as in effect on the date hereof and the dates of the expiration of such agreements or other arrangements of Borrower as in effect on the date hereof (collectively, together with such agreements or other arrangements as may be entered into by Borrower after the date hereof, collectively, the “License Agreements” and individually, a “License Agreement”). No trademark, servicemark, copyright or other Intellectual Property at any time used by Borrower which is owned by another person, or owned by Borrower subject to any security interest, lien, collateral assignment, pledge or other encumbrance in favor of any person other than Lender, is affixed to any Eligible Inventory, except (a) to the extent permitted under the term of the license agreements listed on Schedule 8.11 to the Information Certificate and (b) to the extent the sale of Inventory to which such Intellectual Property is affixed is permitted to be sold by Borrower under applicable law (including the United States Copyright Act of 1976).

8.12 Subsidiaries; Affiliates; Capitalization; Solvency.

(a) Borrower does not have any direct or indirect Subsidiaries or Affiliates and is not engaged in any joint venture or partnership except as set forth in Schedule 8.12 to the Information Certificate.

(b) Borrower is the record and beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 8.12 to the Information Certificate as being owned by Borrower and there are no proxies, irrevocable or otherwise, with respect to such shares and no equity securities of any of the Subsidiaries are or may become required to be issued by reason of any options, warrants, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any kind or nature and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of it Capital Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares.

(c) The issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of Borrower are directly and beneficially owned and held by the persons indicated in the Information Certificate, and in each case all of such shares have been duly authorized and are fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all claims, liens, pledges and encumbrances of any kind, except as disclosed in writing to Lender prior to the date hereof.

(d) Borrower is Solvent and will continue to be Solvent after the creation of the Obligations, the security interests of Lender and the other transaction contemplated hereunder.

 

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8.13 Labor Disputes.

(a) Set forth on Schedule 8.13 to the Information Certificate is a list (including dates of termination) of all collective bargaining or similar agreements between or applicable to Borrower and any union, labor organization or other bargaining agent in respect of the employees of Borrower on the date hereof.

(b) There is (i) no significant unfair labor practice complaint pending against Borrower or, to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against it, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no significant grievance or significant arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is pending on the date hereof against Borrower or, to best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against it, and (ii) no significant strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage is pending against Borrower or, to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against Borrower.

8.14 Restrictions on Subsidiaries. Except for restrictions contained in this Agreement or any other agreement with respect to Indebtedness of Borrower permitted hereunder as in effect on the date hereof, there are no contractual or consensual restrictions on Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which prohibit or otherwise restrict (a) the transfer of cash or other assets (i) between Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) between any Subsidiaries of Borrower or (b) the ability of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to incur Indebtedness or grant security interests to Lender in the Collateral.

8.15 Material Contracts. Schedule 8.15 to the Information Certificate sets forth all Material Contracts to which Borrower is a party or is bound as of the date hereof. Borrower has delivered true, correct and complete copies of such Material Contracts to Lender on or before the date hereof. Borrower is not in breach or in default in any material respect of or under any Material Contract and has not received any notice of the intention of any other party thereto to terminate any Material Contract.

8.16 Payable Practices. Borrower has not made any material change in the historical accounts payable practices from those in effect immediately prior to the date hereof.

8.17 Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All information furnished by or on behalf of Borrower in writing to Lender in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, including all information on the Information Certificate is true and correct in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and does not omit any material fact necessary in order to make such information not misleading. No event or circumstance has occurred which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Affect, which has not been fully and accurately disclosed to Lender in writing prior to the date hereof.

8.18 Survival of Warranties; Cumulative. All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall be deemed to have been made again to Lender on the date of each additional borrowing or other credit accommodation hereunder and shall be conclusively presumed to have been relied on by Lender regardless of any investigation made or information possessed by Lender. The representations and warranties set forth herein shall be cumulative and in addition to any other representations or warranties which Borrower shall now or hereafter give, or cause to be given, to Lender.

 

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SECTION 9. AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

9.1 Maintenance of Existence.

(a) Borrower shall at all times preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights and franchises with respect thereto and maintain in full force and effect all permits, licenses, trademarks, tradenames, approvals, authorizations, leases and contracts necessary to carry on the business as presently or proposed to be conducted.

(b) Borrower shall not change its name unless each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) Lender shall have received not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice from Borrower of such proposed change in its corporate name, which notice shall accurately set forth the new name; and (ii) Lender shall have received a copy of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Borrower providing for the name change certified by the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of Borrower as soon as it is available.

(c) Borrower shall not change its chief executive office or its mailing address or organizational identification number (or if it does not have one, shall not acquire one) unless Lender shall have received not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice from Borrower of such proposed change, which notice shall set forth such information with respect thereto as Lender may require and Lender shall have received such agreements as Lender may reasonably require in connection therewith. Borrower shall not change its type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or other legal structure.

9.2 New Collateral Locations. Borrower may only open any new location within the continental United States provided Borrower (a) gives Lender thirty (30) days prior written notice of the intended opening of any such new location and (b) executes and delivers, or causes to be executed and delivered, to Lender such agreements, documents, and instruments as Lender may deem reasonably necessary or desirable to protect its interests in the Collateral at such location.

9.3 Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Etc.

(a) Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, at all times, comply in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations, licenses, approvals, orders and other Permits applicable to it and duly observe all requirements of any foreign, Federal, State or local Governmental Authority.

(b) Borrower shall give written notice to Lender immediately upon Borrower’s receipt of any notice of, or Borrower’s otherwise obtaining knowledge of, (i) the occurrence of any event involving the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material or (ii) any investigation, proceeding, complaint, order, directive, claims, citation or notice with respect to: (A) any non-compliance with or violation of any Environmental Law by

 

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Borrower or (B) the release, spill or discharge, threatened or actual, of any Hazardous Material other than in the ordinary course of business and other than as permitted under any applicable Environmental Law. Copies of all environmental surveys, audits, assessments, feasibility studies and results of remedial investigations shall be promptly furnished, or caused to be furnished, by Borrower to Lender. Borrower shall take prompt action to respond to any material non-compliance with any of the Environmental Laws and shall regularly report to Lender on such response.

(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, whenever Lender reasonably determines that there is non-compliance, or any condition which requires any action by or on behalf of Borrower in order to avoid any non-compliance, with any Environmental Law, Borrower shall, at Lender’s request and Borrower’s expense: (i) cause an independent environmental engineer reasonably acceptable to Lender to conduct such tests of the site where Borrower’s non-compliance or alleged non-compliance with such Environmental Laws has occurred as to such non-compliance and prepare and deliver to Lender a report as to such non-compliance setting forth the results of such tests, a proposed plan for responding to any environmental problems described therein, and an estimate of the costs thereof and (ii) provide to Lender a supplemental report of such engineer whenever the scope of such non-compliance, or Borrower’s response thereto or the estimated costs thereof, shall change in any material respect.

(d) Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless Lender, its directors, officers, employees, agents, invitees, representatives, successors and assigns, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) directly or indirectly arising out of or attributable to the use, generation, manufacture, reproduction, storage, release, threatened release, spill, discharge, disposal or presence of a Hazardous Material, including the costs of any required or necessary repair, cleanup or other remedial work with respect to any property of Borrower and the preparation and implementation of any closure, remedial or other required plans. All representations, warranties, covenants and indemnifications in this Section 9.3 shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

9.4 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, duly pay and discharge all taxes, assessments, contributions and governmental charges upon or against it or its properties or assets, except for taxes the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books. Borrower shall be liable for any tax or penalties imposed on Lender as a result of the financing arrangements provided for herein and Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold Lender harmless with respect to the foregoing, and to repay to Lender on demand the amount thereof, and until paid by Borrower such amount shall be added and deemed part of the Loans, provided, that, nothing contained herein shall be construed to require Borrower to pay any income or franchise taxes attributable to the income of Lender from any amounts charged or paid hereunder to Lender. The foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.

 

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9.5 Insurance. Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, at all times, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect to the Collateral against loss or damage and all other insurance of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against or carried by corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated, such other insurance to include, without limitation, business interruption insurance, product liability insurance and insurance covering Borrower’s website. Said policies of insurance shall be reasonably satisfactory to Lender as to form, amount and insurer. Borrower shall furnish certificates, policies or endorsements to Lender as Lender shall require as proof of such insurance, and, if Borrower fails to do so, Lender is authorized, but not required, to obtain such insurance at the expense of Borrower. All policies shall provide for at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Lender of any cancellation or reduction of coverage and that Lender may act as attorney for Borrower in obtaining, and at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, adjusting, settling, amending and canceling such insurance. Borrower shall cause Lender to be named as a loss payee and an additional insured (but without any liability for any premiums) under such insurance policies and Borrower shall obtain non-contributory lender’s loss payable endorsements to all insurance policies in form and substance satisfactory to Lender. Such lender’s loss payable endorsements shall specify that the proceeds of such insurance shall be payable to Lender as its interests may appear and further specify that Lender shall be paid regardless of any act or omission by Borrower or any of its Affiliates. Without limiting any other rights of Lender, any insurance proceeds received by Lender at any time may be applied to payment of the Obligations, whether or not then due, in any order and in such manner as Lender may determine. Upon application of such proceeds to the Revolving Loans, Revolving Loans may be available subject and pursuant to the terms hereof to be used for the costs of repair or replacement of the Collateral lost or damages resulting in the payment of such insurance proceeds.

9.6 Financial Statements and Other Information.

(a) Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to, keep proper books and records in which true and complete entries shall be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to the Collateral and the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP. Borrower shall promptly furnish to Lender all such financial and other information as Lender shall reasonably request relating to the Collateral and the assets, business and operations of Borrower, and shall notify the auditors and accountants of Borrower that Lender is authorized to obtain such information directly from them. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Lender, the following:

(i) within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal month, monthly unaudited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidating financial statements (including in each case balance sheets, statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow, and statements of shareholders’ equity), all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting in all material respects the financial position and the results of the operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and through such fiscal month, certified to be correct by the chief financial officer of Borrower, subject to normal year-end adjustments and accompanied by a compliance certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, along with a schedule in form reasonably satisfactory to Lender of the calculations used in determining, as of the end of such month, whether Borrower was in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 9.18, 9.19 and 9.20 of this Agreement for such month,

 

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(ii) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidating financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including in each case balance sheets, statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow and statements of shareholders’ equity), and the accompanying notes thereto, all in reasonable detail, fairly presenting in all material respects the financial position and the results of the operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal year, together with the unqualified opinion of independent certified public accountants with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements, which accountants shall be an independent accounting firm selected by Borrower and acceptable to Lender, that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and present fairly in all material respects the results of operations and financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the fiscal year then ended,

(iii) at such time as available, but in no event later than thirty (30) days prior to the end of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year of Borrower ending December 31, 2007), projected consolidated financial statements (including in each case, forecasted balance sheets and statements of income and loss, statements of cash flow, and statements of shareholders’ equity) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the next fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, and in a format consistent with the projections delivered by Borrower to Lender prior to the date hereof, together with such supporting information as Lender may reasonably request. Such projected financial statements shall be prepared on a monthly basis for the next succeeding year. Such projections shall represent Borrower’s reasonable best estimate of the future financial performance of Borrower for the periods set forth therein and shall have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions set forth therein which Borrower believes are fair and reasonable as of the date of preparation in light of current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions (it being understood that actual results may differ from those set forth in such projected financial statements). Each year Borrower shall provide to Lender a semi-annual update with respect to such projections or at any time a Default or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, more frequently as Lender may require,

(b) Borrower shall promptly notify Lender in writing of the details of (i) any loss, damage, investigation, action, suit, proceeding or claim relating to Collateral having a value of more than $50,000 or which if adversely determined would result in any Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any Material Contract of Borrower being terminated or amended or any new Material Contract entered into (in which event Borrower shall provide Lender with a copy of such Material Contract), (iii) any judicial proceeding commenced against Borrower relating to product liability, (iv) any order, judgment or decree in excess of $250,000 shall have been entered against Borrower or any of its properties or assets, (v) any notification of a material violation of laws or regulations received by Borrower, (vi) any ERISA Event, and (vii) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.

 

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(c) Promptly after the sending or filing thereof, Borrower shall send to Lender copies of (i) all reports which Borrower sends to its security holders generally (ii) all reports and registration statements which Borrower files with the Securities Exchange Commission, any national or foreign securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and such other reports as Lender may hereafter specifically identify to Borrower that Lender will require be provided to Lender, (iii) all press releases and (iv) all other statements concerning material changes or developments in the business of Borrower made available by Borrower to the public.

(d) Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Lender such budgets, forecasts, projections and other information respecting the Collateral and the business of Borrower, as Lender may, from time to time, reasonably request. Lender is hereby authorized to deliver a copy of any financial statement or any other information relating to the business of Borrower to any court or other Governmental Authority, to any Affiliate of Lender or to any participant or assignee or prospective participant or assignee. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all accountants or auditors to deliver to Lender, at Borrower’s expense, copies of the financial statements of Borrower and any reports or management letters prepared by such accountants or auditors on behalf of Borrower and to disclose to Lender such information as they may have regarding the business of Borrower. Any documents, schedules, invoices or other papers delivered to Lender may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by Lender one (1) year after the same are delivered to Lender, except as otherwise designated by Borrower to Lender in writing.

9.7 Credit Card Agreements. Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to (a) observe and perform all material terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of the Credit Card Agreements to be observed and performed by it at all times set forth therein; (b) not do, permit, suffer or refrain from doing anything, as a result of which there could be a material default under or material breach of any of the terms of any of the Credit Card Agreements; (c) at all times maintain in full force and effect the Credit Card Agreements and not terminate, cancel, surrender, modify, amend, waive or release any of the Credit Card Agreements, or consent to or permit to occur any of the foregoing; except, that (i) Borrower and any Subsidiary may terminate or cancel any of the Credit Card Agreements in the ordinary course of the business of Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided, that, Borrower shall, and shall cause any Subsidiary to give Lender not less than fifteen (15) days prior written notice of its intention to so terminate or cancel any of the Credit Card Agreements; (d) not enter into any new Credit Card Agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor unless (i) Lender shall have received not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of the intention of Borrower and any Subsidiary to enter into such agreement (together with such other information with respect thereto as Lender may request) and (ii) Borrower and any Subsidiary deliver, or cause to be delivered to Lender, a Credit Card Acknowledgment in favor of Lender duly authorized, executed and delivered by the new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor; (e) give Lender immediate written notice of any Credit Card Agreement entered into by any Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, together with a true, correct and complete copy thereof and such other information with respect thereto as Lender may request; and (f) furnish to Lender, promptly upon the request of Lender, such information and evidence as Lender may require from time to time concerning the observance, performance and compliance by Borrower and any Subsidiary or the other party or parties thereto with the terms, covenants or provisions of the Credit Card Agreements.

 

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9.8 Sale of Assets, Consolidation, Merger, Dissolution, Etc. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to directly or indirectly,

(a) merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or with or consolidate with it; or

(b) sell, issue, assign, lease, license, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock or Indebtedness to any other Person or any of its assets to any other Person, except for (i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the voluntary termination of Swap Agreements to which Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party, and (iii) the issuance and sale by Borrower of Capital Stock of Borrower after the date hereof; provided, that, (A) Lender shall have received not less than ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of such issuance and sale by Borrower, which notice shall specify the parties to whom such shares are to be sold, the terms of such sale, the total amount which it is anticipated will be realized from the issuance and sale of such stock and the net cash proceeds which it is anticipated will be received by Borrower from such sale, (B) Borrower shall not be required to pay any cash dividends or repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock or make any other payments in respect thereof, except as otherwise permitted in Section 9.11 hereof, (C) the terms of such Capital Stock, and the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale thereof, shall not include any terms that include any limitation on the right of Borrower to request or receive Loans or Letters of Credit or the right of Borrower to amend or modify any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or otherwise in any way relate to or affect the arrangements of Borrower with Lender or are more restrictive or burdensome to Borrower than the terms of any Capital Stock in effect on the date hereof, (D) except as Lender may otherwise agree in writing, all of the proceeds from such sale and issuance shall be paid to Lender for application to the Obligations in such order and manner as Lender may determine or at Lender’s option, to be held as Cash Collateral for the Obligations, and (E) as of the date of such issuance and sale and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or have occurred;

(c) wind up, liquidate or dissolve; or

(d) agree to do any of the foregoing.

9.9 Encumbrances. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume, suffer or permit to exist any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever on any of its assets or properties, including the Collateral, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any security interest or lien with respect to any such assets or properties, except: (a) the security interests and liens of Lender; (b) liens securing the payment of taxes, either not yet overdue or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books in accordance with GAAP; (c) non-consensual statutory liens (other than liens securing the payment of taxes) arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business to the extent: (i) such liens secure Indebtedness which is not overdue or (ii) such liens secure Indebtedness relating to claims or liabilities which are fully insured and being defended at the sole cost and expense and at the

 

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sole risk of the insurer or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to Borrower or such Subsidiary, in each case prior to the commencement of foreclosure or other similar proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books; (d) zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, covenants and other restrictions affecting the use of Real Property which do not interfere in any material respect with the use of such Real Property or ordinary conduct of the business of Borrower or such Subsidiary as presently conducted thereon or materially impair the value of the Real Property which may be subject thereto; (e) liens or encumbrances on Borrower’s Real Property or Equipment; and (f) the security interests and liens set forth on Schedule 8.4 to the Information Certificate.

9.10 Indebtedness. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, incur, create, assume, become or be liable in any manner with respect to, or permit to exist, any Indebtedness, or guarantee, assume, endorse, or otherwise become responsible for (directly or indirectly), the Indebtedness, performance, obligations or dividends of any other Person, except:

(a) the Obligations;

(b) purchase money Indebtedness (including Capital Leases) arising after the date hereof to the extent secured by purchase money security interests in Equipment (including Capital Leases) and purchase money mortgages on Real Property not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding so long as such security interests and mortgages do not apply to any property of Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Equipment or Real Property so acquired, and the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of the Equipment or Real Property so acquired, as the case may be;

(c) guarantees by any Subsidiaries of Borrower of the Obligations in favor of Lender;

(d) the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 9.9 to the Information Certificate; provided, that, (i) Borrower may only make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest in respect of such Indebtedness in accordance with the terms of the agreement or instrument evidencing or giving rise to such Indebtedness as in effect on the date hereof, and (ii) Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, (A) amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such Indebtedness or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto as in effect on the date hereof except, that, Borrower may, after prior written notice to Lender, amend, modify, alter or change the terms thereof so as to extend the maturity thereof, or defer the timing of any payments in respect thereof, or to forgive or cancel any portion of such Indebtedness (other than pursuant to payments thereof), or to reduce the interest rate or any fees in connection therewith, or (B) redeem, retire, defease, purchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness, or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, and (iii) Borrower shall furnish to Lender all notices or demands in connection with such Indebtedness either received by Borrower or on its behalf, promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by Borrower or on its behalf, concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be; and

(e) any Indebtedness incurred under any Swap Agreements with Lender (or with any of its Affiliates).

 

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9.11 Loans, Investments, Etc. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any loans or advance money or property to any person, or invest in (by capital contribution, dividend or otherwise) or purchase or repurchase the Capital Stock or Indebtedness or all or a substantial part of the assets or property of any person, or form or acquire any Subsidiaries, or agree to do any of the foregoing, except:

(a) the endorsement of instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(b) investments in cash or Cash Equivalents, provided, that, (i) no Loans are then outstanding and (ii) the terms and conditions of Section 5.2 hereof shall have been satisfied with respect to the deposit account, investment account or other account in which such cash or Cash Equivalents are held;

(c) the existing equity investments of Borrower as of the date hereof in its Subsidiaries, provided, that, Borrower shall not have any further obligations or liabilities to make any capital contributions or other additional investments or other payments to or in or for the benefit of, any of such Subsidiaries;

(d) stock or obligations issued to Borrower by any Person (or the representative of such Person) in respect of Indebtedness of such Person owing to Borrower in connection with the insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership or reorganization of such Person or a composition or readjustment of the debts of such Person; provided, that, the original of any such stock or instrument evidencing such obligations shall be promptly delivered to Lender, upon Lender’s request, together with such stock power, assignment or endorsement by Borrower as Lender may request;

(e) obligations of account debtors to Borrower arising from Accounts which are past due evidenced by a promissory note made by such account debtor payable to Borrower; provided, that, promptly upon the receipt of the original of any such promissory note by Borrower, such promissory note shall be endorsed to the order of Lender by Borrower and promptly delivered to Lender as so endorsed;

(f) the loans and advances set forth on Schedule 9.10 to the Information Certificate; provided, that, as to such loans and advances, (i) Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, amend, modify, alter or change the terms of such loans and advances or any agreement, document or instrument related thereto and (ii) Borrower shall furnish to Lender all notices or demands in connection with such loans and advances either received by Borrower or on its behalf, promptly after the receipt thereof, or sent by Borrower or on its behalf, concurrently with the sending thereof, as the case may be; and

(g) any Swap Agreements with Lender (or with any of its Affiliates).

9.12 Dividends and Redemptions. Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, declare or pay any dividends on account of any shares of class of Capital Stock of Borrower or such Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding, or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose, or redeem, retire, defease, purchase or

 

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otherwise acquire any shares of any class of Capital Stock (or set aside or otherwise deposit or invest any sums for such purpose) for any consideration or apply or set apart any sum, or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise) in respect of any such shares or agree to do any of the foregoing, except (a) in any case in the form of shares of Capital Stock consisting of common stock and (b) any Subsidiary of Borrower may pay any dividends to Borrower.

9.13 Transactions with Affiliates. Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) purchase, acquire or lease any property from, or sell, transfer or lease any property to, any officer, director, agent or other person affiliated with Borrower, except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Borrower’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower than Borrower would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with an unaffiliated person or (b) make any payments of management, consulting or other fees for management or similar services, or of any Indebtedness owing to any officer, employee, shareholder, director or other Affiliate of Borrower except reasonable compensation to officers, employees and directors for services rendered to Borrower in the ordinary course of business.

9.14 Compliance with ERISA. Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal and State law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code to maintain such qualification; (c) not terminate any Pension Plan so as to incur any material liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (d) not allow or suffer to exist any prohibited transaction involving any Plan or any trust created thereunder which would subject Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate to a material tax or other liability on prohibited transactions imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or ERISA; (e) make all required contributions to any Plan which it is obligated to pay under Section 302 of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or the terms of such Plan; (f) not allow or suffer to exist any accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, with respect to any such Pension Plan; (g) not engage in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; or (h) not allow or suffer to exist any occurrence of a reportable event or any other event or condition which presents a material risk of termination by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of any Plan that is a single employer plan, which termination could result in any material liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

9.15 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters. Borrower shall, for financial reporting purposes, cause its, and each of its Subsidiaries’ (a) fiscal years to end on December 31 of each year and (b) fiscal quarters to end on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.

9.16 Change in Business. Borrower shall not engage in any business other than the business of Borrower on the date hereof and any business reasonably related, ancillary or complimentary to the business in which Borrower is engaged on the date hereof.

9.17 Limitation of Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. Borrower shall not, directly, or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any encumbrance or restriction which

 

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prohibits or limits the ability of any Subsidiary of Borrower to (a) pay dividends or make other distributions or pay any Indebtedness owed to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower; (b) make loans or advances to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower, (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower; or (d) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than encumbrances and restrictions arising under (i) applicable law, (ii) this Agreement, (iii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) customary restrictions on dispositions of real property interests found in reciprocal easement agreements of Borrower or its Subsidiary, (v) any agreement relating to permitted Indebtedness incurred by a Subsidiary of Borrower prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired by Borrower and outstanding on such acquisition date, and (vi) the extension or continuation of contractual obligations in existence on the date hereof; provided, that, any such encumbrances or restrictions contained in such extension or continuation are no less favorable to Lender than those encumbrances and restrictions under or pursuant to the contractual obligations so extended or continued.

9.18 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Borrower shall maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than the following amounts as of the following days and for the following periods.

 

Minimum Ratio

  

Computation Dates and Computation Periods

1.10    July 31, 2007 (computed for the seven month period then ending)
1.10    August 31, 2007 (computed for the eight month period then ending)
1.10    September 30, 2007 (computed for the nine month period then ending)
1.10    October 31, 2007 (computed for the ten month period then ending)
1.10    November 30, 2007 (computed for the eleven month period then ending)
1.10    December 31, 2007 and the last day of each month thereafter (computed for the twelve month period then ending)

9.19 Unfinanced Capital Expenditures. Borrower shall not incur aggregate unfinanced Capital Expenditures in excess of $2,000,000 in any fiscal year.

9.20 Excess Availability. Borrower shall maintain Excess Availability at all times of not less than 15% of the Borrowing Base (with such calculation being made daily based upon the most recent information available).

9.21 License Agreements.

 

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(a) Borrower shall (i) promptly and faithfully observe and perform all of the material terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of Material License Agreements to be observed and performed by it, at the times set forth therein, if any, (ii) not do, permit, suffer or refrain from doing anything that could reasonably be expected to result in a default under or breach of any of the terms of any Material License Agreement, (iii) not cancel, surrender, modify, amend, waive or release any Material License Agreement in any material respect or any term, provision or right of the licensee thereunder in any material respect, or consent to or permit to occur any of the foregoing; except, that, subject to Section 9.19(b) below, Borrower may cancel, surrender or release any Material License Agreement in the ordinary course of the business of Borrower; provided, that, Borrower shall give Lender not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of its intention to so cancel, surrender and release any such Material License Agreement, (iv) give Lender prompt written notice of any Material License Agreement entered into by Borrower after the date hereof, together with a true, correct and complete copy thereof and such other information with respect thereto as Lender may request, (v) give Lender prompt written notice of any material breach of any obligation, or any default, by any party under any Material License Agreement, and deliver to Lender (promptly upon the receipt thereof by Borrower in the case of a notice to Borrower, and concurrently with the sending thereof in the case of a notice from Borrower) a copy of each notice of default and every other notice and other communication received or delivered by Borrower in connection with any Material License Agreement which relates to the right of Borrower to continue to use the property subject to such License Agreement, and (vi) furnish to Lender, promptly upon the request of Lender, such information and evidence as Lender may require from time to time concerning the observance, performance and compliance by Borrower or the other party or parties thereto with the terms, covenants or provisions of any Material License Agreement.

(b) Borrower will either exercise any option to renew or extend the term of each Material License Agreement in such manner as will cause the term of such Material License Agreement to be effectively renewed or extended for the period provided by such option and give prompt written notice thereof to Lender or give Lender prior written notice that Borrower does not intend to renew or extend the term of any such Material License Agreement or that the term thereof shall otherwise be expiring, not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of any such non-renewal or expiration. In the event of the failure of any Borrower to extend or renew any Material License Agreement, Lender shall have, and is hereby granted, the irrevocable right and authority, at its option, to renew or extend the term of such Material License Agreement, whether in its own name and behalf, or in the name and behalf of a designee or nominee of Lender or in the name and behalf of Borrower, as Lender shall determine at any time that an Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and be continuing. Lender may, but shall not be required to, perform any or all of such obligations of any Borrower under any of the License Agreements, including, but not limited to, the payment of any or all sums due from Borrower thereunder. Any sums so paid by Lender shall constitute part of the Obligations.

9.22 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. None of the requesting or borrowing of the Loans or the requesting or issuance, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds of any thereof will violate the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 USC §1 et seq., as amended) (the “Trading With the Enemy Act”) or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) (the

 

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“Foreign Assets Control Regulations”) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto (including, but not limited to (a) Executive order 13224 of September 21, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)) (the “Executive Order”) and (b) the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56). Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates is or will become a “blocked person” as described in the Executive Order, the Trading with the Enemy Act or the Foreign Assets Control Regulations or engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or be otherwise associated, with any such “blocked person”.

9.23 Costs and Expenses. Borrower shall pay to Lender on demand all costs, expenses, filing fees and taxes paid or payable in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, recording, administration, collection, liquidation, enforcement and defense of the Obligations, Lender’s rights in the Collateral, this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and all other documents related hereto or thereto, including any amendments, supplements or consents which may hereafter be contemplated (whether or not executed) or entered into in respect hereof and thereof, including: (a) all costs and expenses of filing or recording (including Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filing taxes and fees, documentary taxes, intangibles taxes and mortgage recording taxes and fees, if applicable); (b) costs and expenses and fees for insurance premiums, environmental audits, title insurance premiums, surveys, assessments, engineering reports and inspections, appraisal fees and search fees, background checks, costs and expenses of remitting loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the Blocked Accounts, together with Lender’s customary charges and fees with respect thereto; (c) charges, fees or expenses charged by Lender or any other bank in connection with any Letter of Credit; (d) costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral; (e) costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection with obtaining payment of the Obligations, enforcing the security interests and liens of Lender, selling or otherwise realizing upon the Collateral, and otherwise enforcing the provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements or defending any claims made or threatened against Lender arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including preparations for and consultations concerning any such matters); (f) all out-of-pocket expenses and costs heretofore and from time to time hereafter incurred by Lender during the course of periodic field examinations of the Collateral and Borrower’s operations (not to exceed three per fiscal year prior to the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, whether called or not), plus a per diem charge at the then standard rate for Lender’s examiners in the field and office (which rate as of the date hereof is $850 per person per day); and (g) the fees and disbursements of counsel (including legal assistants) to Lender in connection with any of the foregoing computed at such counsel’s normal hourly rates and actual time expended.

9.24 Further Assurances. At the request of Lender at any time and from time to time, Borrower shall, at its expense, duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly executed and delivered, such further agreements, documents and instruments, and do or cause to be done such further acts as may be necessary or proper to evidence, perfect, maintain and enforce the security interests and the priority thereof in the Collateral and to otherwise effectuate the provisions or purposes of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements. Lender may at any time

 

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and from time to time request a certificate from an officer of Borrower representing that all conditions precedent to the making of Loans and providing Letters of Credit contained herein are satisfied. In the event of such request by Lender, Lender may, at its option, cease to make any further Loans or provide any further Letters of Credit until Lender has received such certificate and, in addition, Lender has determined that such conditions are satisfied.

SECTION 10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

10.1 Events of Default. The occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events are referred to herein individually as an “Event of Default”, and collectively as “Events of Default”:

(a) (i) Borrower fails to pay any of the Obligations when due or (ii) Borrower fails to perform any of the covenants contained in Sections 9.3, 9.4, 9.13, 9.14, 9.15, and 9.16 of this Agreement and such failure shall continue for ten (10) days; provided, that, such ten (10) day period shall not apply in the case of: (A) any failure to observe any such covenant which is not capable of being cured at all or within such ten (10) day period or which has been the subject of a prior failure within a six (6) month period or (B) an intentional breach by Borrower of any such covenant or (iii) Borrower fails to perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions contained in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements other than those described in Sections 10.1(a)(i) and 10.1(a)(ii) above;

(b) any representation, warranty or statement of fact made by Borrower or any Obligor to Lender in this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements or any other written agreement, schedule, confirmatory assignment or otherwise shall when made or deemed made be false or misleading in any material respect;

(c) any Obligor revokes or terminates, or purports to revoke or terminate, or fails to perform any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, any guarantee, endorsement or other agreement of such party in favor of Lender;

(d) any judgment for the payment of money is rendered against Borrower or any Obligor in excess of $50,000 in any one case or in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (to the extent not covered by insurance where the insurer has assumed responsibility in writing for such judgment) and shall remain undischarged or unvacated for a period in excess of thirty (30) days or execution shall at any time not be effectively stayed, or any judgment other than for the payment of money, or injunction, attachment, garnishment or execution is rendered against Borrower or any Obligor or any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $50,000;

(e) any Obligor (being a natural person or a general partner of an Obligor which is a partnership) dies or Borrower or any Obligor, which is a partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or a corporation, dissolves or suspends or discontinues doing business;

(f) Borrower or any Obligor makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, makes or sends notice of a bulk transfer or calls a meeting of its creditors or principal creditors in connection with a moratorium or adjustment of the Indebtedness due to them;

 

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(g) a case or proceeding under the bankruptcy laws of the United States of America now or hereafter in effect or under any insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect (whether at law or in equity) is filed against Borrower or any Obligor or all or any part of its properties and such petition or application is not dismissed within thirty (30) days after the date of its filing or Borrower or any Obligor shall file any answer admitting or not contesting such petition or application or indicates its consent to, acquiescence in or approval of, any such action or proceeding or the relief requested is granted sooner;

(h) a case or proceeding under the bankruptcy laws of the United States of America now or hereafter in effect or under any insolvency, reorganization, receivership, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect (whether at a law or equity) is filed by Borrower or any Obligor or for all or any part of its property;

(i) any default in respect of any Indebtedness of Borrower or any Obligor (other than Indebtedness owing to Lender), in any case in an amount in excess of $100,000, which default continues for more than the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto or any default by Borrower or any Obligor under any Material Contract, which default continues for more than the applicable cure period, if any, with respect thereto and/or is not waived in writing by the other parties thereto;

(j) any material provision hereof or of any of the other Financing Agreements shall for any reason cease to be valid, binding and enforceable with respect to any party hereto or thereto (other than Lender) in accordance with its terms, or any such party shall challenge the enforceability hereof or thereof, or shall assert in writing, or take any action or fail to take any action based on the assertion that any provision hereof or of any of the other Financing Agreements has ceased to be or is otherwise not valid, binding or enforceable in accordance with its terms, or any security interest provided for herein or in any of the other Financing Agreements shall cease to be a valid and perfected first priority security interest in any of the Collateral purported to be subject thereto (except as otherwise permitted herein or therein);

(k) an ERISA Event shall occur which results in or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Borrower in an aggregate amount in excess of $50,000;

(l) any Change of Control;

(m) the indictment by any Governmental Authority, or as Lender may reasonably and in good faith determine, the threatened indictment by any Governmental Authority of Borrower or any Obligor of which Borrower, any Obligor or Lender receives notice, in either case, as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination, in the good faith determination of Lender, under any criminal statute, or commencement or threatened commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against Borrower pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture of (i) any of the Collateral having a value in excess of $50,000 or (ii) any other property of Borrower which is necessary or material to the conduct of its business;

 

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(n) there shall be a material adverse change in the business, assets or prospects of Borrower or any Obligor after the date hereof; or

(o) there shall be an event of default under any of the other Financing Agreements.

10.2 Remedies.

(a) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Lender shall have all rights and remedies provided in this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements, the UCC and other applicable law, all of which rights and remedies may be exercised without notice to or consent by Borrower or any Obligor, except as such notice or consent is expressly provided for hereunder or required by applicable law. All rights, remedies and powers granted to Lender hereunder, under any of the other Financing Agreements, the UCC or other applicable law, are cumulative, not exclusive and enforceable, in Lender’s discretion, alternatively, successively, or concurrently on any one or more occasions, and shall include, without limitation, the right to apply to a court of equity for an injunction to restrain a breach or threatened breach by Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements. Lender may, at any time or times, proceed directly against Borrower or any Obligor to collect the Obligations (other than Obligations under any Swap Agreements, between Borrower and Lender or any Affiliate of Lender, which shall be due in accordance with and governed by the provisions of said Swap Agreements) without prior recourse to any Obligor or any of the Collateral.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Lender may upon notice to Borrower, accelerate the payment of all Obligations and demand immediate payment thereof to Lender (provided, that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 10.1(g) and 10.1(h), all Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable).

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, at any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Lender may, in its discretion (i) with or without judicial process or the aid or assistance of others, enter upon any premises on or in which any of the Collateral may be located and take possession of the Collateral or complete processing, manufacturing and repair of all or any portion of the Collateral, (ii) require Borrower, at Borrower’s expense, to assemble and make available to Lender any part or all of the Collateral at any place and time designated by Lender, (iii) collect, foreclose, receive, appropriate, setoff and realize upon any and all Collateral, (iv) remove any or all of the Collateral from any premises on or in which the same may be located for the purpose of effecting the sale, foreclosure or other disposition thereof or for any other purpose, (v) sell, lease, transfer, assign, deliver or otherwise dispose of any and all Collateral (including entering into contracts with respect thereto, public or private sales at any exchange, broker’s board, at any office of Lender or elsewhere) at such prices or terms as Lender may deem reasonable, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery, with the Lender having the right to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral at any such public sale, all of the foregoing being free from any right or equity of redemption of Borrower, which right or equity of redemption is hereby expressly waived and released by Borrower and/or (vi) terminate this Agreement. If any of the Collateral is sold or leased by Lender upon credit terms or for future

 

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delivery, the Obligations shall not be reduced as a result thereof until payment therefor is finally collected by Lender. If notice of disposition of Collateral is required by law, ten (10) days prior notice by Lender to Borrower designating the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale or other intended disposition of Collateral is to be made, shall be deemed to be reasonable notice thereof and Borrower waives any other notice. In the event Lender institutes an action to recover any Collateral or seeks recovery of any Collateral by way of prejudgment remedy, Borrower waives the posting of any bond which might otherwise be required. At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, upon Lender’s request, Borrower shall furnish cash collateral to Lender for the Letter of Credit Obligations. Such cash collateral shall be in the amount equal to one hundred ten (110%) percent of the amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations plus the amount of any fees and expenses payable in connection therewith through the end of the latest expiration date of the Letters of Credit giving rise to such Letter of Credit Obligations.

(d) Lender may, at any time or times that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, enforce Borrower’s rights against any account debtor, secondary obligor or other obligor in respect of any of the Accounts or other Receivables. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Lender may at such time or times (i) notify any or all account debtors, secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof that the Receivables have been assigned to Lender and that Lender has a security interest therein and Lender may direct any or all account debtors, secondary obligors and other obligors to make payment of Receivables directly to Lender, (ii) extend the time of payment of, compromise, settle or adjust for cash, credit, return of merchandise or otherwise, and upon any terms or conditions, any and all Receivables or other obligations included in the Collateral and thereby discharge or release the account debtor or any secondary obligors or other obligors in respect thereof without affecting any of the Obligations, (iii) demand, collect or enforce payment of any Receivables or such other obligations, but without any duty to do so, and Lender shall not be liable for its failure to collect or enforce the payment thereof nor for the negligence of its agents or attorneys with respect thereto and (iv) take whatever other action Lender may deem necessary or desirable for the protection of its interests. At any time that an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, at Lender’s request, all invoices and statements sent to any account debtor shall state that the Accounts and such other obligations have been assigned to Lender and are payable directly and only to Lender and Borrower shall deliver to Lender such originals of documents evidencing the sale and delivery of goods or the performance of services giving rise to any Accounts as Lender may require. In the event any account debtor returns Inventory when an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Borrower shall, upon Lender’s request, hold the returned Inventory in trust for Lender, segregate all returned Inventory from all of its other property, dispose of the returned Inventory solely according to Lender’s instructions, and not issue any credits, discounts or allowances with respect thereto without Lender’s prior written consent.

(e) To the extent that applicable law imposes duties on Lender to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner (which duties cannot be waived under such law), Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it is not commercially unreasonable for Lender (i) to fail to incur expenses reasonably deemed significant by Lender to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to complete raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished

 

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products for disposition, (ii) to fail to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not required by other law, to fail to obtain consents of any Governmental Authority or other third party for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (iii) to fail to exercise collection remedies against account debtors, secondary obligors or other persons obligated on Collateral or to remove liens or encumbrances on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (iv) to exercise collection remedies against account debtors and other persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (v) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (vi) to contact other persons, whether or not in the same business as Borrower for expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of the Collateral, (vii) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral, whether or not the collateral is of a specialized nature, (viii) to dispose of Collateral by utilizing Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (ix) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (x) to disclaim disposition warranties, (xi) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure Lender against risks of loss, collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to Lender a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (xii) to the extent deemed appropriate by Lender, to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist Lender in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Borrower acknowledges that the purpose of this Section is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by Lender would not be commercially unreasonable in Lender’s exercise of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by Lender shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section. Without limitation of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section shall be construed to grant any rights to Borrower or to impose any duties on Lender that would not have been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by applicable law in the absence of this Section.

(f) For the purpose of enabling Lender to exercise the rights and remedies hereunder, Borrower hereby grants to Lender, to the extent assignable, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable at any time an Event of Default shall exist or have occurred and for so long as the same is continuing without payment of royalty or other compensation to Borrower) to use, assign, license or sublicense any of the trademarks, service-marks, trade names, business names, trade styles, designs, logos and other source of business identifiers and other Intellectual Property and general intangibles now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, wherever the same maybe located, including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout thereof.

(g) At any time an Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, Lender may apply the cash proceeds of Collateral actually received by Lender from any sale, lease, foreclosure or other disposition of the Collateral to payment of the Obligations, in whole or in part and in accordance with the terms hereof, whether or not then due or may hold such proceeds as cash collateral for the Obligations. Borrower shall remain liable to Lender for the payment of any deficiency with interest at the highest rate provided for herein and all costs and expenses of collection or enforcement, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses.

 

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(h) Without limiting the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, Lender may, at its option, without notice, (i) cease making Loans or arranging for Letters of Credit or reduce the lending formulas or amounts of Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit available to Borrower, (ii) terminate any provision of this Agreement providing for any future Loans or Letters of Credit to be made by Lender to Borrower and/or (iii) establish such Reserves as Lender determines without limitation or restriction, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein.

SECTION 11. JURY TRIAL WAIVER; OTHER WAIVERS AND CONSENTS; GOVERNING LAW

11.1 Governing Law; Choice of Forum; Service of Process; Jury Trial Waiver.

(a) The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements (except as otherwise provided therein) and any dispute arising out of the relationship between the parties hereto, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of North Carolina but excluding any principles of conflicts of law or other rule of law that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of North Carolina.

(b) Borrower and Lender irrevocably consent and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the State of North Carolina and the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, whichever Lender may elect, and waive any objection based on venue or forum non conveniens with respect to any action instituted therein arising under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the parties hereto in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or the transactions related hereto or thereto, in each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, and agree that any dispute with respect to any such matters shall be heard only in the courts described above (except that Lender shall have the right to bring any action or proceeding against Borrower or its property in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction which Lender deems necessary or appropriate in order to realize on the Collateral or to otherwise enforce its rights against Borrower or its property).

(c) Borrower hereby waives personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process may be made by certified mail (return receipt requested) directed to its address set forth herein and service so made shall be deemed to be completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so deposited in the U.S. mails, or, at Lender’s option, by service upon Borrower in any other manner provided under the rules of any such courts. Within thirty (30) days after such service, Borrower shall appear in answer to such process, failing which Borrower shall be deemed in default and judgment may be entered by Lender against Borrower for the amount of the claim and other relief requested.

 

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(d) BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (i) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS OR (ii) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER FINANCING AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE. BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT BORROWER OR LENDER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

(e) Lender shall not have any liability to Borrower (whether in tort, contract, equity or otherwise) for losses suffered by Borrower in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to the transactions or relationships contemplated by this Agreement, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection herewith, unless it is determined by a final and non-appealable judgment or court order binding on Lender, that the losses were the result of acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lender. In any such litigation, Lender shall be entitled to the benefit of the rebuttable presumption that it acted in good faith and with the exercise of ordinary care in the performance by it of the terms of this Agreement. Borrower: (i) certifies that neither Lender, nor any representative, agent or attorney acting for or on behalf of Lender has represented, expressly or otherwise, that Lender would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce any of the waivers provided for in this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements and (ii) acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements, Lender is relying upon, among other things, the waivers and certifications set forth in this Section 11.1 and elsewhere herein and therein.

11.2 Waiver of Notices. Borrower hereby expressly waives demand, presentment, protest and notice of protest and notice of dishonor with respect to any and all instruments and chattel paper, included in or evidencing any of the Obligations or the Collateral, and any and all other demands and notices of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Obligations, the Collateral and this Agreement, except such as are expressly provided for herein. No notice to or demand on Borrower which Lender may elect to give shall entitle Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

11.3 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof shall be amended, modified, waived or discharged orally or by course of conduct, but only by a written agreement signed by an authorized officer of Lender, and as to amendments, as also signed by an authorized officer of Borrower. Lender shall not, by any act, delay, omission or otherwise be deemed to have expressly or impliedly waived any of its rights, powers and/or remedies unless such waiver shall be in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Lender. Any such waiver shall be enforceable only to the extent specifically set forth therein. A waiver by Lender of any right, power and/or remedy on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any such right, power and/or remedy which Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion, whether similar in kind or otherwise.

 

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11.4 Waiver of Counterclaims. Borrower waives all rights to interpose any claims, deductions, setoffs or counterclaims of any nature (other then compulsory counterclaims) in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, the Obligations, the Collateral or any matter arising therefrom or relating hereto or thereto.

11.5 Indemnification. Borrower shall indemnify and hold Lender, and its directors, agents, employees and counsel, harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of them in connection with any litigation, investigation, claim or proceeding commenced or threatened related to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this Agreement, any other Financing Agreements, any Swap Agreements or any undertaking or proceeding related to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or any act, omission, event or transaction related or attendant thereto, including amounts paid in settlement, court costs, and the fees and expenses of counsel. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy, Borrower shall pay the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay under applicable law to Lender in satisfaction of indemnified matters under this Section. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower shall not assert, and Borrower hereby waives, any claim against Lender, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any of the other Financing Agreements or any undertaking or transaction contemplated hereby. No indemnitee referred to above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements or the transaction contemplated hereby or thereby. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable upon demand. The foregoing indemnity shall survive the payment of the Obligations and the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.

SECTION 12. TERM OF AGREEMENT; MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Term.

(a) This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall become effective as of the date set forth on the first page hereof and shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the date three (3) years from the date hereof (the “Renewal Date”), and from year to year thereafter, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms hereof. Lender or Borrower may terminate this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements effective on the Renewal Date or on the anniversary of the Renewal Date in any year by giving to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior written notice; provided, that, this Agreement and all other Financing Agreements must be terminated simultaneously. In addition, Borrower may terminate this Agreement at any time upon ten (10) days prior written notice to Lender (which notice shall be irrevocable) and Lender may terminate this Agreement at any time on or after an Event of

 

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Default. Upon Renewal Date or any other effective date of termination of the Financing Agreements, Borrower shall pay to Lender all outstanding and unpaid Obligations and shall furnish cash collateral to Lender (or at Lender’s option, a letter of credit issued for the account of Borrower and at Borrower’s expense, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, by an issuer acceptable to Lender and payable to Lender as beneficiary) in such amounts as Lender determines are reasonably necessary to secure Lender from loss, cost, damage or expense, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, in connection with any contingent Obligations, including issued and outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations and checks or other payments provisionally credited to the Obligations and/or as to which Lender has not yet received final and indefeasible payment and any continuing obligations of Lender under or pursuant to any Deposit Account Control Agreement. The amount of such cash collateral (or letter of credit, as Lender may determine) as to any Letter of Credit Obligations shall be in the amount equal to one hundred ten (110%) percent of the amount of the Letter of Credit Obligations plus the amount of any fees and expenses payable in connection therewith through the end of the latest expiration date of the Letters of Credit giving rise to such Letter of Credit Obligations. Such payments in respect of the Obligations and cash collateral shall be remitted by wire transfer in Federal funds to the Lender Payment Account or such other bank account of Lender, as Lender may, in its discretion, designate in writing to Borrower for such purpose. Interest shall be due until and including the next business day, if the amounts so paid by Borrower to the Lender Payment Account or other bank account designated by Lender are received in such bank account later than 12:00 noon, Charlotte time.

(b) No termination of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements shall relieve or discharge Borrower of its respective duties, obligations and covenants under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements until all Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and paid, and Lender’s continuing security interest in the Collateral and the rights and remedies of Lender hereunder, under the other Financing Agreements and applicable law, shall remain in effect until all such Obligations have been fully and finally discharged and paid. Accordingly, Borrower waives any rights it may have under the UCC to demand the filing of termination statements with respect to the Collateral, and Lender shall not be required to send such termination statements to Borrower, or to file them with any filing office, unless and until this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms and all Obligations paid and satisfied in full in immediately available funds.

12.2 Interpretative Provisions.

(a) All terms used herein which are defined in Article 1, Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC shall have the meanings given therein unless otherwise defined in this Agreement.

(b) All references to the plural herein shall also mean the singular and to the singular shall also mean the plural unless the context otherwise requires.

(c) All references to Borrower and Lender pursuant to the definitions set forth in the recitals hereto, or to any other person herein, shall include their respective successors and assigns.

 

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(d) The words “hereof, “herein”, “hereunder”, “this Agreement” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular provision of this Agreement and as this Agreement now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

(e) The word “including” when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation” and the word “will” when used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.

(f) An Event of Default shall exist or continue or be continuing until such Event of Default is waived in accordance with Section 11.3 or is cured in a manner satisfactory to Lender, if such Event of Default is capable of being cured as determined by Lender.

(g) All references to the term “good faith” used herein when applicable to Lender shall mean, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the UCC, honesty in fact in the conduct or transaction concerned. Borrower shall have the burden of proving any lack of good faith on the part of Lender alleged by Borrower at any time.

(h) Any accounting term used in this Agreement shall have, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, the meaning customarily given in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder shall be computed unless otherwise specifically provided herein, in accordance with GAAP as consistently applied and using the same method for inventory valuation as used in the preparation of the financial statements of Borrower most recently received by Lender prior to the date hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in GAAP or any interpretations or other pronouncements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or otherwise, the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is unqualified and also does not include any explanation, supplemental comment or other comment concerning the ability of the applicable person to continue as a going concern or the scope of the audit.

(i) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including”.

(j) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references herein to any agreement, document or instrument shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals, restatements or replacements with respect thereto, but only to the extent the same are not prohibited by the terms hereof or of any other Financing Agreement, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, recodifying, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

(k) The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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(l) This Agreement and other Financing Agreements may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and shall each be performed in accordance with their terms.

(m) This Agreement and the other Financing Agreements are the result of negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to Lender and the other parties, and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements shall not be construed against Lender merely because of Lender’s involvement in their preparation.

12.3 Notices.

(a) All notices, requests and demands hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have been given or made: if delivered in person, immediately upon delivery; if by telex, telegram or facsimile transmission, immediately upon sending and upon confirmation of receipt; if by nationally recognized overnight courier service with instructions to deliver the next Business Day, one (1) Business Day after sending; and if by certified mail, return receipt requested, five (5) days after mailing. Notices delivered through electronic communications shall be effective to the extent set forth in Section 12.3(b) below. All notices, requests and demands upon the parties are to be given to the following addresses (or to such other address as any party may designate by notice in accordance with this Section):

 

If to Borrower:    Vitacost.com Inc.
   352 S.W. 12th Avenue
   Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
   Attention:    Richard Smith
   Telephone No.:    (800) 793-2601 x223
   Telecopy No.:    (561) 752-8900
with a copy to:    Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler LLP
   P.O. Drawer 2086   
   1912 Eastchester Drive, Suite 400 (27265)
   High Point, NC ###-###-####
   Attention:    David W. Woods
   Telephone No.:    (336 ###-###-####
   Telecopy No.:    (336) 889-6251
If to Lender:    Wachovia Bank, National Association
   110 E. Broward Blvd., Suite 2050
   Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
   Attention:    Portfolio Manager
   Telephone No.:    (954) 467-2262
   Telecopy No.:    (954) 467-5520

 

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(b) Notices and other communications to Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Lender or as otherwise determined by Lender. Unless Lender otherwise requires, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided, that, if such notice or other communication is not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communications is available and identifying the website address therefor.

12.4 Partial Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate this Agreement as a whole, but this Agreement shall be construed as though it did not contain the particular provision held to be invalid or unenforceable and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced only to such extent as shall be permitted by applicable law.

12.5 Successors. This Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and any other document referred to herein or therein shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Lender, Borrower and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower may not assign its rights under this Agreement, the other Financing Agreements and any other document referred to herein or therein without the prior written consent of Lender. Lender may, after notice to Borrower, assign its rights and delegate its obligations under this Agreement and the other Financing Agreements and further may assign, or sell participations in, all or any part of the Loans, the Letters of Credit or any other interest herein to another financial institution or other person on terms and conditions acceptable to Lender.

12.6 USA Patriot Act. Lender hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub.L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or corporation who opens an account and/or enters into a business relationship with it, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and other information that will allow Lender to identify Borrower in accordance with the Act and any other applicable law. Borrower is hereby advised that any Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder are subject to satisfactory results of such verification.

12.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Financing Agreements, any supplements hereto or thereto, and any instruments or documents delivered or to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith represents the entire agreement and understanding concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof between the parties hereto, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, representations, warranties, commitments, proposals, offers and contracts concerning the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and any schedule or exhibit hereto, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

 

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12.8 Counterparts, Etc. This Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Agreements by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall have the same force and effect as the delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement or any of such other Financing Agreements. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of any such agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall also deliver an original executed counterpart, but the failure to do so shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect of such agreement.

 

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VITACOST.COM INC.

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lender and Borrower have caused these presents to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

LENDER     BORROWER
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION     VITACOST.COM INC.
By:   /s/ Benjamin N.D. Lucas     By:   /s/ Ira P. Kerker
Name:   Benjamin N.D. Lucas     Name:   Ira P. Kerker
Title:   Director     Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Address:     Chief Executive Office:
110 E. Broward Blvd., Suite 2050     352 S.W. 12th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301     Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442