FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 16, 2005, among WEIGHTWATCHERS.COM, INC., THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO and CREDIT SUISSE, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent CREDIT SUISSE, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

EX-10.4 2 a2167852zex-10_4.htm EXHIBIT 10.4

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

December 16, 2005,

 

among

 

WEIGHTWATCHERS.COM, INC.,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

CREDIT SUISSE,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 


 

CREDIT SUISSE,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 

 



 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.

Defined Terms

1

SECTION 1.02.

Terms Generally

19

SECTION 1.03.

Pro Forma Calculations

20

SECTION 1.04.

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

20

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Loans

 

SECTION 2.01.

Commitments

20

SECTION 2.02.

Loans

20

SECTION 2.03.

Borrowing Procedure

21

SECTION 2.04.

Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans

22

SECTION 2.05.

Fees

22

SECTION 2.06.

Interest on Loans

22

SECTION 2.07.

Default Interest

23

SECTION 2.08.

Alternate Rate of Interest

23

SECTION 2.09.

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

23

SECTION 2.10.

Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings

24

SECTION 2.11.

Repayment of Borrowings

25

SECTION 2.12.

Optional Prepayment

26

SECTION 2.13.

Mandatory Prepayments

27

SECTION 2.14.

Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances

28

SECTION 2.15.

Change in Legality

29

SECTION 2.16.

Indemnity

30

SECTION 2.17.

Pro Rata Treatment

30

SECTION 2.18.

Sharing of Setoffs

30

SECTION 2.19.

Payments

31

SECTION 2.20.

Taxes

32

SECTION 2.21.

Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate

32

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

SECTION 3.01.

Organization; Powers

34

SECTION 3.02.

Authorization

34

SECTION 3.03.

Enforceability

34

SECTION 3.04.

Governmental Approvals

35

SECTION 3.05.

Financial Statements

35

SECTION 3.06.

No Material Adverse Change

35

 



 

SECTION 3.07.

Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases

36

SECTION 3.08.

Subsidiaries

36

SECTION 3.09.

Litigation; Compliance with Laws

36

SECTION 3.10.

Agreements

36

SECTION 3.11.

Federal Reserve Regulations

36

SECTION 3.12.

Investment Company Act

37

SECTION 3.13.

Use of Proceeds

37

SECTION 3.14.

Tax Returns

37

SECTION 3.15.

No Material Misstatements

37

SECTION 3.16.

Employee Benefit Plans

37

SECTION 3.17.

Environmental Matters

37

SECTION 3.18.

Insurance

38

SECTION 3.19.

Security Documents

38

SECTION 3.20.

Labor Matters

38

SECTION 3.21.

Solvency

39

SECTION 3.22.

Transaction Documents

39

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions of Lending

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

SECTION 5.01.

Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and Properties

42

SECTION 5.02.

Insurance

42

SECTION 5.03.

Obligations and Taxes

43

SECTION 5.04.

Financial Statements, Reports, etc

43

SECTION 5.05.

Litigation and Other Notices

45

SECTION 5.06.

Information Regarding Collateral

45

SECTION 5.07.

Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings

46

SECTION 5.08.

Use of Proceeds

46

SECTION 5.09.

Employee Benefits

46

SECTION 5.10.

Compliance with Environmental Laws

46

SECTION 5.11.

Further Assurances

46

SECTION 5.12.

Interest Rate Protection

47

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

SECTION 6.01.

Indebtedness

47

SECTION 6.02.

Liens

48

SECTION 6.03.

Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

50

 



 

SECTION 6.04.

Investments, Loans and Advances

50

SECTION 6.05.

Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions

51

SECTION 6.06.

Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements

52

SECTION 6.07.

Transactions with Affiliates

53

SECTION 6.08.

Business of the Borrower and Subsidiaries

53

SECTION 6.09.

Other Indebtedness and Agreements

53

SECTION 6.10.

Capital Expenditures

53

SECTION 6.11.

Interest Coverage Ratio

55

SECTION 6.12.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

55

SECTION 6.13.

Maximum Leverage Ratio

55

SECTION 6.14.

Fiscal Year

55

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.

Notices

60

SECTION 9.02.

Survival of Agreement

61

SECTION 9.03.

Binding Effect

61

SECTION 9.04.

Successors and Assigns

61

SECTION 9.05.

Expenses; Indemnity

65

SECTION 9.06.

Right of Setoff

66

SECTION 9.07.

Applicable Law

66

SECTION 9.08.

Waivers; Amendment

66

SECTION 9.09.

Interest Rate Limitation

67

SECTION 9.10.

Entire Agreement

68

SECTION 9.11.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

68

SECTION 9.12.

Severability

68

SECTION 9.13.

Counterparts

68

SECTION 9.14.

Headings

69

SECTION 9.15.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

69

SECTION 9.16.

Confidentiality

69

SECTION 9.17.

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

70

 



 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.01

-

Guarantors

Schedule 2.01

-

Lenders and Commitments

Schedule 3.07(b)

-

Leased Real Property

Schedule 3.08

-

Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.09

-

Litigation

Schedule 3.17

-

Environmental Matters

Schedule 3.18

-

Insurance

Schedule 3.19(a)

-

UCC Filing Offices

Schedule 4.01

-

Local Counsel

Schedule 6.01

-

Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02

-

Existing Liens

Schedule 6.07

-

Certain Affiliate Transactions

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

 

-

 

Form of Administrative Questionnaire

Exhibit B

 

-

 

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit C

 

-

 

Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit D

 

-

 

Form of First Lien Guarantee Agreement

Exhibit E

 

-

 

Form of Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit F

 

-

 

Form of First Lien Pledge Agreement

Exhibit G

 

-

 

Form of First Lien Pledge and Security Agreement

Exhibit H-1

 

-

 

Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Exhibit H-2

 

-

 

Form of Local Counsel Opinion

 



 

FIRST LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 16, 2005 (this “Agreement”), among WEIGHTWATCHERS.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (as defined in Article I), and CREDIT SUISSE, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Lenders.

 

Pursuant to a Redemption Agreement dated as of June 13, 2005 (the “Redemption Agreement”), among Artal Luxembourg S.A., a Luxembourg corporation (the “Seller”), the Borrower and Weight Watchers International, Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Parent”), the Borrower intends to redeem (the “Redemption”) all of the outstanding shares of its common stock held by the Seller for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $304,800,000 (the “Cash Consideration”).

 

In connection with the foregoing, the Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the form of Loans (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined in this introductory statement having the meaning given it in Article I) on the Closing Date, in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $170,000,000. The proceeds of the Loans, together with cash on hand at the Borrower and the proceeds of the loans under the Second Lien Credit Agreement, are to be used solely to pay the Cash Consideration and related fees and expenses.

 

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the product of (a) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period and (b) Statutory Reserves.

 

Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A, or such other form as may be supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person, another person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is

 



 

Controlled by or is under common Control with the person specified; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.07, the term “Affiliate” shall also include any person that directly or indirectly owns 15% or more of any class of Equity Interests of the person specified or that is an officer or director of the person specified.

 

Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as the case may be.

 

Applicable Percentage” shall mean, for any day, (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, 2.25% and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, 1.25%.

 

Asset Sale” shall mean the sale, transfer or other disposition (by way of merger, casualty, condemnation or otherwise) by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any person other than the Borrower or any Guarantor of (a) any Equity Interests of any of the Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or (b) any other assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than (i) inventory, damaged, obsolete or worn out assets and Permitted Investments, in each case disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (ii) dispositions between or among Foreign Subsidiaries and (iii) any sale, transfer or other disposition or series of related sales, transfers or other dispositions having a value not in excess of $350,000).

 

Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Borrowing” shall mean Loans of the same Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided,

 

2



 

however, that when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures (including capitalized web site development costs and capitalized software) of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations or Synthetic Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, but excluding in each case any such expenditure made to restore, replace or rebuild property to the condition of such property immediately prior to any damage, loss, destruction or condemnation of such property, to the extent such expenditure is made with insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such damage, loss, destruction or condemnation.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” of any person shall mean the obligations of such person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Change in Control” shall mean (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of persons (other than the Permitted ARTAL Investor Group) becomes, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions by way of merger, consolidation, or other business combination or otherwise, the “beneficial owner” (as such terms is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of more than 20% of the total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of Equity Interests of Parent then outstanding entitled to vote generally in elections of directors of Parent; (b) at all times, as applicable, individuals who on the Closing Date constituted the Board of Directors of Parent (together with any new directors whose election to such Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of Parent was approved by a member of the Permitted ARTAL Investor Group or a vote of 66.67% 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 Parent then in office; or (c) Parent ceasing to own, beneficially and of record, 100% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower.

 

Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.14, by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any

 

3



 

request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.

 

Closing Date” shall mean December 16, 2005.

 

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document.

 

Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s commitment to make a Loan hereunder as set forth on Schedule 2.01.

 

Confidential Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum of the Borrower dated November 2005.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest expense for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) non-recurring office relocation expenses during such period, (v) fees and expenses associated with the Transactions during such period, (vi) fees and compensation expenses related to employee stock options during such period and (vii) any non-cash charges (other than the write-down of current assets) for such period, and minus (b) without duplication (i) all cash payments made during such period on account of reserves, restructuring charges and other non-cash charges added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (a)(vii) above in a previous period and (ii) to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary gains and all non-cash items of income for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Leverage Ratio as of or for the periods ended on December 31, 2005, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006, Consolidated EBITDA will be deemed to be equal to (i) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, $6,180,398, (ii) for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2005, $11,006,852, and (iii) for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005, $11,600,295.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall mean, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments made during such period in respect of long term Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (other than payments made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or a Subsidiary), (c) the aggregate amount of principal payments (other than scheduled principal payments) made during such period in respect of long term Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, to the extent that such payments reduced any scheduled principal payments that would have become due within one year after the date of the applicable payment, (d) Capital Expenditures for such period and (e) the aggregate amount of Taxes paid in cash and (without duplication) Tax Payments in cash by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such period. For purposes

 

4



 

of determining the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive quarters ended December 31, 2005, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be deemed to be equal to (a) the Consolidated Fixed Charges for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, multiplied by 4, (b) the Consolidated Fixed Charges for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2006, multiplied by 2 and (c) the Consolidated Fixed Charges for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2006, multiplied by 4/3, respectively.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, the sum of (a) the cash interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP, plus (c) the aggregate amount of all dividends in respect of Disqualified Stock paid in cash by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such period. For purposes of determining the Interest Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive quarters ended December 31, 2005, March 31, 2006, and June 30, 2006, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be deemed to be equal to (a) the Consolidated Interest Expense for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, multiplied by 4, (b) the Consolidated Interest Expense for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2006, multiplied by 2 and (c) the Consolidated Interest Expense for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2006, multiplied by 4/3, respectively.

 

Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the net income or loss of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by the Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary, (b) the income or loss of any person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the date that such person’s assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (c) the income of any person in which any other person (other than the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in accordance with applicable law) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary by such person during such period, and (d) any extraordinary gains attributable to sales of assets.

 

Control” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Credit Facility” shall mean the term loan facility provided for by this Agreement.

 

5



 

Current Assets” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current assets (other than cash and Permitted Investments) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.

 

Current Liabilities” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current liabilities of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such time, but excluding the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness.

 

Declined Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(e).

 

Default” shall mean any event or condition which upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Disqualified Stock”  shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date.

 

dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiaries” shall mean all Subsidiaries incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Eligible Assignee” shall mean any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that extends credit or invests in bank loans as one of its businesses; provided that neither the Borrower nor any Affiliate thereof shall be an Eligible Assignee.

 

Environmental Laws” shall mean all former, current and future Federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), treaties, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, directives, orders (including consent orders), and agreements in each case, relating to protection of the environment, natural resources, human health and safety or the presence, Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, or the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport, recycling or handling of, or the arrangement for such activities with respect to, Hazardous Materials.

 

Environmental Liability” shall mean all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs

 

6



 

(including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages and remediation costs), whether contingent or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (a) compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests” shall mean shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity interests in any person.

 

Equity Issuance” shall mean any issuance or sale by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, except in each case for (a) any issuance or sale to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (b) any issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and (c) any issuance of Equity Interests to Parent, to the extent the proceeds thereof are used substantially concurrently, and in any event within five Business Days of such issuance, to finance a Permitted Acquisition.

 

ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the adoption of any amendment to a Plan that would require the provision of security pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA; (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (h) the occurrence of a “prohibited transaction” with

 

7



 

respect to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a “disqualified person” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) or with respect to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary could otherwise be liable; or (i) any Foreign Benefit Event.

 

Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

 

Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, for any fiscal year of the Borrower, the excess of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year and (ii) reductions to noncash working capital of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (i.e., the decrease, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities from the beginning to the end of such fiscal year) over (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) the amount of any Taxes and Tax Payments payable in cash by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with respect to such fiscal year, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such fiscal year payable in cash, (iii) Capital Expenditures made in cash in accordance with Section 6.10 during such fiscal year, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness, equity issuances, casualty proceeds, condemnation proceeds or other proceeds that would not be included in Consolidated EBITDA, (iv) permanent repayments of Indebtedness (other than (x) mandatory prepayments of Loans under Section 2.13 and (y) Voluntary Prepayments) made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such fiscal year, but only to the extent that such prepayments by their terms cannot be reborrowed or redrawn and do not occur in connection with a refinancing of all or any portion of such Indebtedness, (v) additions to noncash working capital for such fiscal year (i.e., the increase, if any, in Current Assets minus Current Liabilities from the beginning to the end of such fiscal year) and (vi) investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries made in compliance with Section 6.04(g).

 

Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.21(a)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.20(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.20(a).

 

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Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Fee Letter” shall mean the Fee Letter dated November 2, 2005, between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05.

 

Financial Officer” of any person shall mean the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such person.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.

 

Foreign Benefit Event” shall mean, with respect to any Foreign Pension Plan, (a) the existence of unfunded liabilities in excess of the amount permitted under any applicable law, or in excess of the amount that would be permitted absent a waiver from a Governmental Authority, (b) the failure to make the required contributions or payments, under any applicable law, on or before the due date for such contributions or payments, (c) the receipt of a notice by a Governmental Authority relating to the intention to terminate any such Foreign Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee or similar official to administer any such Foreign Pension Plan, or alleging the insolvency of any such Foreign Pension Plan, (d) the incurrence of any material liability by the Borrower or any Subsidiary under applicable law on account of the complete or partial termination of such Foreign Pension Plan or the complete or partial withdrawal of any participating employer therein, or (e) the occurrence of any transaction that is prohibited under any applicable law and that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any liability by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or the imposition on the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of any fine, excise tax or penalty resulting from any noncompliance with any applicable law, in each case in an amount that would result in material liability.

 

Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

Foreign Pension Plan” shall mean any benefit plan that under applicable law is required to be funded through a trust or other funding vehicle other than a trust or funding vehicle maintained by a Governmental Authority.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

 

Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

 

Granting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

 

Grantors” shall mean (a) with respect to the Pledge Agreement, Parent and (b) with respect to the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Borrower.

 

Guarantee” of or by any person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the First Lien Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit D, among the Borrower, the Subsidiaries party thereto and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Guarantor” shall mean each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01, and each other Subsidiary that is or becomes a party to the Guarantee Agreement.

 

Hazardous Materials” shall mean (a) any petroleum products or byproducts and all other hydrocarbons, coal ash, radon gas, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances and (b) any other chemical, material, substance or waste that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Hedging Agreement” shall mean any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

 

Indebtedness” of any person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such person upon which interest charges are

 

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customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such person, (e) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such person, (i) all obligations of such person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, (j) all obligations of such person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (k) all obligations of such person in respect of Disqualified Stock of such person. The Indebtedness of any person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general partner.

 

Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, among the Borrower, Parent, the Collateral Agent and the Second Lien Collateral Agent (as defined therein).

 

Interest Payment Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing.

 

Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six (or nine or twelve, if agreed to by the Lenders) months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day. Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

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Lenders” shall mean (a) the persons listed on Schedule 2.01 (other than any such person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) and (b) any person that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.

 

Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of Total Debt on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date. In any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters in which a Permitted Acquisition occurs, the Leverage Ratio shall be determined on a pro forma basis in accordance with Section 1.03.

 

LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in dollars are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

 

Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

 

Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Security Documents and the promissory notes, if any, executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.04(e).

 

Loan Parties” shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.

 

Loans” shall mean the term loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to perform any of its material obligations under any Loan Document to which it is or will be a party or (c) a material

 

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impairment of the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under any Loan Document.

 

Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $2,500,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

Maturity Date” shall mean December 16, 2010.

 

Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor thereto.

 

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the cash proceeds (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received) in respect of noncash consideration initially received), net of (i) selling expenses (including reasonable broker’s fees or commissions, legal fees, transfer and similar taxes and the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale), (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustment associated with such Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and (iii) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the asset sold in such Asset Sale and which is required to be repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset); provided, however, that, if (x) the Borrower intends to reinvest such proceeds in productive assets of a kind then used or usable in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries within 365 days of receipt of such proceeds and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing at the time of receipt of such proceeds, such proceeds shall not constitute Net Cash Proceeds except to the extent not so used at the end of such 365-day period, at which time such proceeds shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds; and (b) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness or any Equity Issuance, the cash proceeds thereof, net of all taxes and customary fees, commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

Obligations” shall mean all obligations defined as “Obligations” in the Pledge and Security Agreement and the other Security Documents.

 

Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any

 

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payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

 

Parent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

“Parent Credit Agreement” shall mean the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 21, 2004, among Parent, the lenders party thereto, Credit Suisse, as syndication agent and a lead arranger, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent and a lead arranger, as amended from time to time.

 

PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

 

Perfection Certificate” shall mean the Perfection Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

 “Permitted Acquisition” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04(g).

 

Permitted ARTAL Investor Group” means the Seller or any of its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries and ARTAL Group S.A., a Luxembourg corporation, or any of its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries.

 

Permitted Investments” shall mean:

 

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria of clause (c) above;

 

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(e) investments in “money market funds” within the meaning of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, substantially all of whose assets are invested in investments of the type described in clauses (a) through (d) above;

 

(f) investments in so-called “auction rate” securities rated AAA or higher by S&P or Aaa or higher by Moody’s and which have a reset date not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(g) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.

 

person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Pledge Agreement” shall mean the First Lien Pledge Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, between Parent and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Pledge and Security Agreement” shall mean the First Lien Pledge and Security Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Pledged Collateral” shall mean (a) all the “Collateral” as defined in the Pledge Agreement and (b) all the “Pledged Collateral” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum determined from time to time by Credit Suisse as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City and notified to the Borrower.

 

Redemption” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

Redemption Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d).

 

Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

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Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

Related Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund or commingled investment vehicle that invests in bank loans, any other fund that invests in bank loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified person, such person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such person and such person’s Affiliates.

 

Release” shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment or within or upon any building, structure, facility or fixture.

 

Repayment Date” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.11.

 

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans and Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans and Commitments at such time.

 

Responsible Officer” of any person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such person in respect of this Agreement.

 

Restricted Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the payment, prepayment, repurchase or defeasance of which is restricted under Section 6.09(b).

 

Restricted Payment” shall mean any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancelation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Redemption shall not be a Restricted Payment.

 

“Second Lien Credit Agreement” shall mean the Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Credit Suisse, as administrative agent and collateral agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Second Lien Loan Documents” shall mean the “Loan Documents”, as defined in the Second Lien Credit Agreement, other than the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 “Second Priority Liens” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in any Security Document.

 

Security Documents” shall mean the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.11.

 

Seller” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

SPC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

 

S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, or any successor thereto.

 

Statutory Reserves” shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate, or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Synthetic Lease” shall mean, as to any person, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or

 

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mixed) (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such person is the lessor.

 

Synthetic Lease Obligations” shall mean, as to any person, an amount equal to the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under any Synthetic Lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP if such obligations were accounted for as Capital Lease Obligations.

 

Synthetic Purchase Agreement” shall mean any swap, derivative or other agreement or combination of agreements pursuant to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or may become obligated to make (a) any payment in connection with a purchase by any third party from a person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness or (b) any payment (other than on account of a permitted purchase by it of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness) the amount of which is determined by reference to the price or value at any time of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only to current or former directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (or to their heirs or estates) shall be deemed to be a Synthetic Purchase Agreement.

 

Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, liabilities or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

Tax Payments” shall mean net payments in cash by the Borrower to Parent in respect of Taxes attributable to the operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing arrangements in effect from time to time.

 

Total Debt” shall mean, at any time, the total Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such time (excluding Indebtedness of the type described in clause (i) of the definition of such term, except to the extent of any unreimbursed drawings thereunder) minus the amount of cash and Permitted Investments held by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of such date, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,500,000.

 

Transactions” shall mean, collectively, (a) the performance by the Borrower of the Redemption Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are or will be a party and the making of the Borrowings hereunder, (c) the execution, delivery and performance of the Second Lien Credit Agreement by the parties thereto and the making of the borrowings thereunder, (d) the execution, delivery and performance by Parent of the Pledge Agreement and the pledge of the Equity Interest of the Borrower thereunder and (e) the payment of related fees and expenses.

 

Type”, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is

 

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determined. For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall mean the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

 

USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

Voluntary Prepayment” shall mean a prepayment of principal of Loans pursuant to Section 2.12 in any year to the extent that such prepayment reduces the scheduled installments of principal due in respect of Loans as set forth in Section 2.11 in any subsequent year.

 

wholly owned Subsidiary” of any person shall mean a subsidiary of such person of which securities (except for directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held by such person or one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such person or by such person and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such person.

 

Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; and the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and (b) all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article VI or any related definition to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring after the date of this Agreement on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article VI or any related definition for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders.

 

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SECTION 1.03. Pro Forma Calculations. With respect to any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters during which any Permitted Acquisition occurs (and for purposes of determining whether an acquisition is a Permitted Acquisition under Section 6.04(g) or would result in a Default or an Event of Default), the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated with respect to such period on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition (including, without duplication, (a) all pro forma adjustments permitted or required by Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (b) pro forma adjustments for cost savings (net of continuing associated expenses) to the extent such cost savings are factually supportable and have been realized or are reasonably expected to be realized within 12 months following such Permitted Acquisition, provided that all such adjustments shall be set forth in a reasonably detailed certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower), using, for purposes of making such calculations, the historical financial statements of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries which shall be reformulated as if such Permitted Acquisition, and any other Permitted Acquisitions that have been consummated during the period, had been consummated on the first day of such period.

 

SECTION 1.04. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan” or a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Loans

 

SECTION 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount not to exceed its Commitment. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

SECTION 2.02. Loans. (a)  Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their Commitments; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). The Loans comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000.

 

(b)   Subject to Sections 2.08 and 2.15, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request pursuant to Section 2.03. Each Lender may at its option make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be

 

20



 

entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than three Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any time. For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

 

(c)   Each Lender shall make the Loan to be made by it hereunder on the Closing Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account in New York City as the Administrative Agent may designate not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Request or, if the Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.

 

(d)   Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of the Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of the Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error). If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.03. Borrowing Procedure. In order to request the Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the proposed Borrowing, and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, one Business Day before the proposed Borrowing. A telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable, and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or fax to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request and shall specify the following information: (i) whether such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing; (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the number and location of the account to which funds are to be disbursed; (iv) the amount of such Borrowing; and (v) if such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing is

 

21



 

specified in such notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.03 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s portion of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04. Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans. (a)  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the principal amount of each Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.11.

 

(b)   Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loan made by such Lender hereunder, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

 

(c)   The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and, if applicable, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower or any Guarantor and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)   The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.

 

(e)   Any Lender may request that Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns and in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event any Lender shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by such note shall at all times (including after any assignment of all or part of such interests pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes payable to the payee named therein or its registered assigns.

 

SECTION 2.05. Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees (the “Fees”) set forth in the Fee Letter at the times and in the amounts specified therein. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 2.06. Interest on Loans. (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the

 

22



 

case may be, when the Alternate Base Rate is determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but excluding the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.

 

(b)   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Percentage.

 

(c)   Interest on each Loan shall be payable on the Interest Payment Dates applicable to such Loan except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate for each Interest Period or day within an Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.07. Default Interest. If the Borrower shall default in the payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount due hereunder, by acceleration or otherwise, or under any other Loan Document, then, until such defaulted amount shall have been paid in full, to the extent permitted by law, such amount shall bear interest (after as well as before judgment), payable on demand, (a) in the case of principal, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.06 plus 2.00% per annum and (b) in all other cases, at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times) equal to the rate that would be applicable to an ABR Loan plus 2.00% per annum.

 

SECTION 2.08. Alternate Rate of Interest. In the event, and on each occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing the Administrative Agent shall have determined that dollar deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such Borrowing are not generally available in the London interbank market, or that the rates at which such dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining its Eurodollar Loan during such Interest Period, or that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give written or fax notice of such determination to the Borrower and the Lenders. In the event of any such determination, until the Administrative Agent shall have advised the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, any request by the Borrower for a Eurodollar Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be deemed to be a request for an ABR Borrowing. Each determination by the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.08 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a)  The Commitments shall automatically terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i)  the making of the Loans on the Closing Date and (ii)  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 30, 2005.

 

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(b)   Upon at least three Business Days’ prior irrevocable written or fax notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may at any time in whole permanently terminate, or from time to time in part permanently reduce, the Commitments; provided, however, that each partial reduction of the Commitments shall be in an integral multiple of $1,000,000.

 

(c)   Each reduction in the Commitments hereunder shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

 

SECTION 2.10. Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings. The Borrower shall have the right at any time upon prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent by telephone (a) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, one Business Day prior to conversion, to convert any Eurodollar Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing, (b) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion or continuation, to convert any ABR Borrowing into a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue any Eurodollar Borrowing as a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period, and (c) not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion, to convert the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing to another permissible Interest Period, subject in each case to the following:

 

(i)  each conversion or continuation shall be made pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of the Loans comprising the converted or continued Borrowing;

 

(ii)  if less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(a) and 2.02(b) regarding the principal amount and maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type;

 

(iii)  each conversion shall be effected by each Lender and the Administrative Agent by recording for the account of such Lender the new Loan of such Lender resulting from such conversion and reducing the Loan (or portion thereof) of such Lender being converted by an equivalent principal amount; accrued interest on any Eurodollar Loan (or portion thereof) being converted shall be paid by the Borrower at the time of conversion;

 

(iv)  if any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted at a time other than the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall pay, upon demand, any amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.16;

 

(v)  any portion of a Borrowing maturing or required to be repaid in less than one month may not be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(vi)  any portion of a Eurodollar Borrowing that cannot be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing by reason of the immediately preceding clause shall be automatically converted at the end of the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing;

 

24



 

(vii)  no Interest Period may be selected for any Eurodollar Borrowing that would end later than a Repayment Date occurring on or after the first day of such Interest Period if, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate outstanding amount of (A) the Eurodollar Borrowings with Interest Periods ending on or prior to such Repayment Date and (B) the ABR Borrowings would not be at least equal to the principal amount of Borrowings to be paid on such Repayment Date; and

 

(viii)  upon notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent given at the request of the Required Lenders, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default, no outstanding Loan may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Loan.

 

Each telephonic request pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be confirmed promptly in writing by hand delivery or fax to the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) the identity and amount of the Borrowing that the Borrower requests be converted or continued, (ii) whether such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing, (iii) if such notice requests a conversion, the date of such conversion (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto. If no Interest Period is specified in any such notice with respect to any conversion to or continuation as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. The Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.10 and of each Lender’s portion of any converted or continued Borrowing. If the Borrower shall not have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to continue any Borrowing into a subsequent Interest Period (and shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to convert such Borrowing), such Borrowing shall, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof), automatically be continued into an ABR Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.11. Repayment of Borrowings. (a)  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, on the dates set forth below, or if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (each such date being called a “Repayment Date”), a principal amount of the Loans (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.11(b), 2.12 and 2.13(e)) equal to the amount set forth below for such date, together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment:

 

Repayment Date

 

Amount

 

March 31, 2006

 

$

425,000

 

June 30, 2006

 

$

425,000

 

September 30, 2006

 

$

425,000

 

December 31, 2006

 

$

425,000

 

March 31, 2007

 

$

425,000

 

June 30, 2007

 

$

425,000

 

September 30, 2007

 

$

425,000

 

 

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Repayment Date

 

Amount

 

December 31, 2007

 

$

425,000

 

March 31, 2008

 

$

425,000

 

June 30, 2008

 

$

425,000

 

September 30, 2008

 

$

425,000

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

425,000

 

March 31, 2009

 

$

425,000

 

June 30, 2009

 

$

425,000

 

September 30, 2009

 

$

425,000

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

425,000

 

March 31, 2010

 

$

425,000

 

June 30, 2010

 

$

425,000

 

September 30, 2010

 

$

425,000

 

Maturity Date

 

$

161,925,000

 

 

(b)   In the event and on each occasion that the Commitments shall be reduced or shall expire or terminate other than as a result of the making of a Loan, the installments payable on each Repayment Date shall be reduced pro rata by an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such reduction, expiration or termination.

 

(c)   To the extent not previously paid, all Loans shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

(d)   All repayments pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be subject to Section 2.16, but shall otherwise be without premium or penalty.

 

SECTION 2.12. Optional Prepayment. (a)  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, upon at least three Business Days’ prior written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) at least one Business Day prior to the date of prepayment in the case of ABR Loans, to the Administrative Agent before 11:00 a.m., New York City time; provided, however, that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000.

 

(b)   Optional prepayments of Loans shall be applied pro rata against the remaining scheduled installments of principal due in respect of the Loans under Section 2.11.

 

(c)   Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof) to be prepaid, shall be irrevocable and shall commit the Borrower to prepay such Borrowing by the amount stated therein on the date stated therein; provided that any such notice delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other financing arrangements, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such

 

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condition is not satisfied. All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be subject to Section 2.16 but otherwise without premium or penalty. All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

SECTION 2.13. Mandatory Prepayments. (a)  Not later than the fifth Business Day following the receipt of Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Asset Sale, the Borrower shall apply 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto to prepay outstanding Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

 

(b)   In the event and on each occasion that an Equity Issuance occurs, the Borrower shall, substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the fifth Business Day next following) the occurrence of such Equity Issuance, apply 50% (or, if after giving effect to the use of the proceeds of such Equity Issuance, the Leverage Ratio would be less than 4.50 to 1.0, 25%) of the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom to prepay outstanding Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e); provided that no prepayment under this paragraph shall be required if after giving effect to the use of the proceeds of such Equity Issuance, the Leverage Ratio would be less than 3.50 to 1.0.

 

(c)   No later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2006, and (ii) the date on which the financial statements with respect to such period are delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a), the Borrower shall prepay outstanding Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) 50% of Excess Cash Flow for the fiscal year then ended over (ii) Voluntary Prepayments made during such fiscal year; provided that (A) such percentage shall be reduced to 25% if the Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year was less than 4.50 to 1.00 and (B) no prepayment under this paragraph shall be required if the Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year was less than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

(d)   In the event that any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness for money borrowed or Disqualified Stock of any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than any cash proceeds from the issuance of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock permitted pursuant to Section 6.01), the Borrower shall, substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the fifth Business Day next following) the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by such Loan Party or such subsidiary, apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to prepay outstanding Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

 

(e)   Mandatory prepayments of outstanding Loans under this Agreement shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders that accept the same and applied pro rata against the remaining scheduled installments of principal due in respect of the Loans of such Lenders under Section 2.11. Any Lender may elect, by notice to the Administrative Agent at or prior to the time and in the manner specified by the Administrative Agent, prior to any prepayment of Loans required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.13, to decline all (but not a portion) of its pro rata share of such prepayment (such declined

 

27



 

amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”). Any Declined Proceeds shall be offered to the Lenders not so declining such prepayment (with such Lenders having the right to decline any prepayment with Declined Proceeds at the time and in the manner specified by the Administrative Agent). Any remaining Declined Proceeds shall be applied first, as may be required pursuant to the mandatory prepayment provisions of the Second Lien Credit Agreement and second, as determined by the Borrower.

 

(f)   The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, at the time of each prepayment required under this Section 2.13, (i) a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount of such prepayment and (ii) to the extent practicable, at least five Business Days prior written notice of such prepayment. Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date, the Type of each Loan being prepaid and the principal amount of each Loan (or portion thereof) to be prepaid; provided, however, that, if at the time of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.13 there shall be outstanding Borrowings of different Types or Eurodollar Borrowings with different Interest Periods, and if some but not all Lenders shall have accepted such mandatory prepayment, then the aggregate amount of such mandatory prepayment shall be allocated ratably to each outstanding Borrowing of the accepting Lenders. All prepayments of Borrowings under this Section 2.13 shall be subject to Section 2.16, but shall otherwise be without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

SECTION 2.14. Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances. (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of or credit extended by any Lender (except any such reserve requirement which is reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or shall impose on such Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then the Borrower will pay to such Lender upon demand such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)   If any Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender pursuant hereto to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c)   A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate delivered by it within 10 days after its receipt of the same.

 

(d)   Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to compensate any Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) above with respect to increased costs or reductions with respect to any period prior to the date that is 120 days prior to such request if such Lender knew or could reasonably have been expected to know of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the fact that such circumstances would result in a claim for increased compensation by reason of such increased costs or reductions; provided further that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any increased costs or reductions arising out of the retroactive application of any Change in Law within such 120-day period. The protection of this Section shall be available to each Lender regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the Change in Law that shall have occurred or been imposed.

 

SECTION 2.15. Change in Legality. (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Lender to maintain any Eurodollar Loan or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, then, by written notice to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)  such Lender may declare that Eurodollar Loans will not thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) be continued for additional Interest Periods and ABR Loans will not thereafter (for such duration) be converted into Eurodollar Loans, whereupon any request to convert an ABR Borrowing to a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request to continue an ABR Loan as such for an additional Interest Period or to convert a Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan, as the case may be, unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and

 

(ii)  such Lender may require that all outstanding Eurodollar Loans made by it be converted to ABR Loans, in which event all such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans as of the effective date of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below.

 

In the event any Lender shall exercise its rights under (i) or (ii) above, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise have been applied to repay the converted Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall instead be applied to repay the ABR Loans resulting from the conversion of such Eurodollar Loans.

 

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(b)   For purposes of this Section 2.15, a notice to the Borrower by any Lender shall be effective as to each Eurodollar Loan made by such Lender, if lawful, on the last day of the Interest Period then applicable to such Eurodollar Loan; in all other cases such notice shall be effective on the date of receipt by the Borrower.

 

SECTION 2.16. Indemnity. The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) any event, other than a default by such Lender in the performance of its obligations hereunder, which results in (i) such Lender receiving or being deemed to receive any amount on account of the principal of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period in effect therefor, (ii) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan to an ABR Loan, or the conversion of the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, in each case other than on the last day of the Interest Period in effect therefor, or (iii) any Eurodollar Loan to be made by such Lender (including any Eurodollar Loan to be made pursuant to a conversion or continuation under Section 2.10) not being made after notice of such Loan shall have been given by the Borrower hereunder (any of the events referred to in this clause (a) being called a “Breakage Event”) or (b) any default in the making of any payment or prepayment required to be made hereunder. In the case of any Breakage Event, such loss shall include an amount equal to the excess, as reasonably determined by such Lender, of (i) its cost of obtaining funds for the Eurodollar Loan that is the subject of such Breakage Event for the period from the date of such Breakage Event to the last day of the Interest Period in effect (or that would have been in effect) for such Loan over (ii) the amount of interest likely to be realized by such Lender in redeploying the funds released or not utilized by reason of such Breakage Event for such period. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts which such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.17. Pro Rata Treatment. Except as required under Section 2.13 or 2.15, each Borrowing, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Loans, each reduction of the Commitments and each conversion of any Borrowing to or continuation of any Borrowing as a Borrowing of any Type shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments (or, following the termination of the Commitments, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans). Each Lender agrees that in computing such Lender’s portion of any Borrowing to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, round each Lender’s percentage of such Borrowing to the next higher or lower whole dollar amount.

 

SECTION 2.18. Sharing of Setoffs. Each Lender agrees that if it shall, through the exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loan or Loans as a result of which the unpaid principal portion of its Loans shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of the

 

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Loans of any other Lender, it shall be deemed simultaneously to have purchased from such other Lender at face value, and shall promptly pay to such other Lender the purchase price for, a participation in the Loans of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans and participations in Loans held by each Lender shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans then outstanding as the principal amount of its Loans prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event was to the principal amount of all Loans outstanding prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that if any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.18 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest. The Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees that any Lender holding a participation in a Loan deemed to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Borrower to such Lender by reason thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a Loan directly to the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

SECTION 2.19. Payments. (a)  The Borrower shall make each payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Fees or other amounts) hereunder and under any other Loan Document not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, on the date when due in immediately available dollars, without setoff, defense or counterclaim. Each such payment shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010. The Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender any payments received by the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lender.

 

(b)   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever any payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Fees or other amounts) hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.

 

(c)   Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower does not in fact make such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error).

 

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SECTION 2.20. Taxes. (a)  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)   In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)   The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on behalf of itself or a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)   As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)   Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.

 

SECTION 2.21. Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate. (a)  In the event (i) any Lender delivers a certificate requesting

 

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compensation pursuant to Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender delivers a notice described in Section 2.15, (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20 or (iv) any Lender refuses to consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Document requested by the Borrower that requires the consent of a greater percentage of the Lenders than the Required Lenders and such amendment, waiver or other modification is consented to by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to transfer and assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such assigned obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (x) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, (y) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, and (z) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the affected Lender in immediately available funds an amount equal to the sum of the principal of and interest accrued to the date of such payment on the outstanding Loans of such Lender plus all Fees and other amounts accrued for the account of such Lender hereunder with respect thereto (including any amounts under Sections 2.14 and 2.16); provided further that, if prior to any such transfer and assignment the circumstances or event that resulted in such Lender’s claim for compensation under Section 2.14, notice under Section 2.15 or the amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, cease to cause such Lender to suffer increased costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital, or cease to have the consequences specified in Section 2.15, or cease to result in amounts being payable under Section 2.20, as the case may be (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender pursuant to paragraph (b) below), or if such Lender shall waive its right to claim further compensation under Section 2.14 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall withdraw its notice under Section 2.15 or shall waive its right to further payments under Section 2.20 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall consent to the proposed amendment, waiver, consent or other modification, as the case may be, then such Lender shall not thereafter be required to make any such transfer and assignment hereunder. Each Lender hereby grants to the Administrative Agent an irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) to execute and deliver, on behalf of such Lender as assignor, any Assignment and Acceptance necessary to effectuate any assignment of such Lender’s interests hereunder in the circumstances contemplated by this Section 2.21(a).

 

(b)   If (i) any Lender shall request compensation under Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender delivers a notice described in Section 2.15 or (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender, pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not require such Lender to incur an unreimbursed loss or unreimbursed cost or expense or otherwise take any action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be

 

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significant) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such filing or assignment would reduce its claims for compensation under Section 2.14 or enable it to withdraw its notice pursuant to Section 2.15 or would reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, in the future. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such filing or assignment, delegation and transfer.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.02. Authorization. The Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (B) any order of any Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, or give rise to any right to accelerate or to require the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of any obligation under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than Liens created hereunder or under the Security Documents and the Second Priority Liens).

 

SECTION 3.03. Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is or will be a party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Governmental Approvals. No material action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions, except for (a) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office and (b) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 3.05. Financial Statements. (a)  The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent its consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004, audited by and accompanied by the opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, and each fiscal month ended after September 30, 2005 and at least 30 days before the Closing Date. Such financial statements present fairly the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods. Such balance sheets and the notes thereto disclose all material liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof. Such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b)   The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent its unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred, with respect to such balance sheet, on such date and, with respect to such other financial statements, on the first day of the four-fiscal quarter period ending on such date. Such pro forma financial statements have been prepared in good faith by the Borrower, based on the assumptions used to prepare the pro forma financial information contained in the Confidential Information Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the Borrower on the date hereof and on the Closing Date to be reasonable), are based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, accurately reflect all adjustments required to be made to give effect to the Transactions and present fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 3.06. No Material Adverse Change. No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or operating results of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since December 31, 2004.

 

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SECTION 3.07. Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases. (a)  As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries owns any real property in fee.

 

(b)   Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has complied with all obligations under all material leases to which it is a party and all such leases are in full force and effect. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such material leases. Schedule 3.07(b) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all real property leased by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.

 

SECTION 3.08. Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.08 sets forth as of the Closing Date a list of all Subsidiaries and the percentage ownership interest of the Borrower therein. The shares of capital stock or other ownership interests so indicated on Schedule 3.08 are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Borrower, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created under the Security Documents and any Second Priority Liens).

 

SECTION 3.09. Litigation; Compliance with Laws. (a)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.09, there are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any business, property or rights of any such person (i) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)   Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.09 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.10. Agreements. Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is in default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing Material Indebtedness, or any other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are or may be bound, where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.11. Federal Reserve Regulations. (a)  Neither the Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

 

(b)   No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X.

 

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SECTION 3.12. Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 3.13. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans only for the purposes specified in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.14. Tax Returns. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all Federal and all material state, local and foreign tax returns or materials required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes due and payable by it and all assessments received by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves.

 

SECTION 3.15. No Material Misstatements. None of (a) the Confidential Information Memorandum or (b) any other information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto, taken as a whole, contained, contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not misleading; provided that to the extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, the Borrower represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule.

 

SECTION 3.16. Employee Benefit Plans. Each of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates is, with respect to all Plans and Multiemployer Plans, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates.

 

SECTION 3.17. Environmental Matters. (a)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(b)   Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.17 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 3.18. Insurance. Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all insurance maintained by the Borrower or by the Borrower for its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums have been duly paid. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have insurance in such amounts and covering such risks and liabilities as are in accordance with normal industry practice.

 

SECTION 3.19. Security Documents. (a)  Each of the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined therein) and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Collateral is delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Lien created under such Security Document shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Grantors in such Pledged Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, and (ii) when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a), the Lien created under the Pledge and Security Agreement will constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Borrower in such Collateral (other than Intellectual Property, as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

 

(b)   Upon the recordation of the Pledge and Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, together with the financing statements in appropriate form filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a), the Lien created under the Pledge and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Borrower in the Intellectual Property (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) in which a security interest may be perfected by filing in the United States and its territories and possessions, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Borrower after the date hereof).

 

SECTION 3.20. Labor Matters. As of the Closing Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, and (b) all payments due from the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any Subsidiary on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary. The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of

 

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renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

 

SECTION 3.21. Solvency. Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of each Loan, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Loan Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

SECTION 3.22. Transaction Documents. The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a complete and correct copy of the Redemption Agreement (including all schedules, exhibits, amendments, supplements and modifications thereto) as in effect on the Closing Date. Neither the Borrower nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any other person party thereto is in default in the performance or compliance with any material provisions thereof. The Redemption Agreement complies in all material respects with all applicable laws.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions of Lending

 

The obligations of the Lenders to make the Loans hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.03.

 

(b)   The representations and warranties set forth in Article III and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of the making of such Loans with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

 

(c)   At the time of and immediately after the making of such Loans, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(d)   The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, a favorable written opinion of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Borrower, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit H-1, and (ii) each local

 

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counsel listed on Schedule 4.01, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit H-2, in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (C) covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents and the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and the Borrower hereby requests each of its counsel to deliver such opinions.

 

(e)   All legal matters incident to this Agreement, the Borrowings and extensions of credit hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent.

 

(f)   The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate of incorporation, including all amendments thereto, of each Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and a certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party dated the Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the bylaws of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that the certificate of incorporation of such Loan Party have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above, and (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party; (iii) a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above; and (iv) such other documents as the Lenders or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(g)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Article IV.

 

(h)   The Administrative Agent shall have received all Fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

(i)   The Security Documents shall have been duly executed by the Borrower, each Loan Party that is to be a party thereto and, in the case of the Pledge Agreement, Parent, and shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date. The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have a security interest in the Collateral of the type and priority described in each Security Document.

 

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(j)   The Collateral Agent shall have received a Perfection Certificate with respect to the Loan Parties dated the Closing Date and duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, and shall have received the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code filings (or equivalent filings) made with respect to the Loan Parties in the states (or other jurisdictions) of formation of such persons, in which the chief executive office of each such person is located and in the other jurisdictions in which such persons maintain property, in each case as indicated on such Perfection Certificate, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search, and accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement (or similar document) would be permitted under Section 6.02 or have been or will be contemporaneously released or terminated.

 

(k)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of, or a certificate as to coverage under, the insurance policies required by Section 5.02 and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a customary lender’s loss payable endorsement and to name the Collateral Agent as additional insured, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(l)   The Redemption shall have been, or substantially simultaneously with the funding of Loans on the Closing Date shall be, consummated in accordance with the Redemption Agreement and applicable law, without giving effect to any modification or waiver that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders of any terms or conditions of the Redemption Agreement unless otherwise approved by the Required Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the Redemption Agreement and all certificates, opinions and other documents delivered thereunder, certified by a Financial Officer as being complete and correct.

 

(m)   Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness or preferred stock other than (a) Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement and the Second Lien Credit Agreement and (b) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.01.

 

(n)   The Lenders shall have received the financial statements and opinion referred to in Section 3.05.

 

(o)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, are solvent.

 

(p)   All requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties shall have approved or consented to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby to the extent required, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired and there shall not be any pending or threatened litigation, governmental, administrative or judicial action that

 

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could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose burdensome conditions on the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(q)   The Lenders shall have received, at least five days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 5.01. Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and Properties. (a)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05.

 

(b)   Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business; comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted; and at all times maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needed and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times.

 

SECTION 5.02. Insurance. (a)  Keep its insurable properties adequately insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such other insurance, to such extent and against such risks, including fire and other risks insured against by extended coverage, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, including public liability insurance against claims for personal injury or death or property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection with the use of any properties owned, occupied or controlled by it; and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law.

 

(b)   Cause all such policies covering any Collateral to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a customary lender’s loss payable endorsement and other customary provisions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; deliver original or certified copies of all such policies to the

 

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Collateral Agent; deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, prior to the cancellation, modification or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance, a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent of payment of the premium therefor.

 

(c)   Notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent promptly whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.02 is taken out by any Loan Party; and promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a duplicate original copy of such policy or policies.

 

SECTION 5.03. Obligations and Taxes. Pay and discharge promptly when due all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested obligation, tax, assessment or charge and enforcement of a Lien and, in the case of a Mortgaged Property, there is no risk of forfeiture of such property.

 

SECTION 5.04. Financial Statements, Reports, etc. In the case of the Borrower, furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)   within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such year, together with comparative figures for the immediately preceding fiscal year, all audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall be without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)   within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such fiscal quarter and the then

 

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elapsed portion of the fiscal year, and comparative figures for the same periods in the immediately preceding fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as fairly presenting the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments;

 

(c)   within 30 days after the end of each of the first two fiscal months of each fiscal quarter, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows showing the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such fiscal month and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as fairly presenting the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments;

 

(d)   concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above, a letter of the accounting firm (if such accounting firm is then providing similar letters for other corporate clients) (in the case of paragraph (a)) and a certificate of a Financial Officer (in the case of paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) opining on or certifying such statements (which letter, when furnished by an accounting firm, may be limited to accounting matters with respect to Sections 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations) (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 and, in the case of a certificate delivered with the financial statements required by paragraph (a) above, setting forth the Borrower’s calculation of Excess Cash Flow, and (iii) in the case of any certificate delivered by a Financial Officer, describing any Asset Sales that were consummated during the preceding period and the amount and the use or the intended use of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof;

 

(e)   within 90 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and summarizing the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget);

 

(f)   promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed to its shareholders, as the case may be;

 

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(g)   promptly after the receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, a copy of any “management letter” received by any such person from its certified public accountants and the management’s response thereto;

 

(h)   promptly after the request by any Lender, all documentation and other information that such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act; and

 

(i)   promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 5.05. Litigation and Other Notices. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)   any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

 

(b)   the filing or commencement of, or any threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority, against the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)   any development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)   any notice of any change in the ratings of the Credit Facility by S&P or Moody’s, or any notice from either such agency indicating its intent to effect such a change or to place the Borrower or the Credit Facility on a “CreditWatch” or “WatchList” or any similar list, in each case with negative implications, or its cessation of, or its intent to cease, rating the Credit Facility.

 

SECTION 5.06. Information Regarding Collateral. (a)  Furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s corporate name, (ii) in the jurisdiction of organization or formation of any Loan Party, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or corporate structure or (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. The Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral.

 

(b)   In the case of the Borrower, each year, at the time of delivery of the annual financial statements with respect to the preceding fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.04(a), deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the information required pursuant to Section 2 of the Perfection Certificate or confirming that

 

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there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the Closing Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.06.

 

SECTION 5.07. Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings. (a)  Keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all requirements of law are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or, during the existence of any Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of such person at reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or, during the existence of any Event of Default, any Lender to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of such person with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor.

 

(b)   In the case of the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Credit Facility to be rated by S&P and Moody’s.

 

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans only for the purposes specified in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.09. Employee Benefits. (a) With respect to all Plans, Multiemployer Plans and Foreign Pension Plans, comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the laws applicable to any Foreign Pension Plan and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent as soon as possible after, and in any event within ten days after any responsible officer of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to result in material liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, a statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.10. Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) comply, and cause all lessees and other persons occupying its properties to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and properties; and (b) obtain and renew all material environmental permits necessary for its operations and properties; and conduct any remedial action in accordance with Environmental Laws.

 

SECTION 5.11. Further Assurances. Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take or cause to be taken all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) that may be required under applicable law, or that the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan

 

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Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and first priority of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security Documents. The Borrower will cause any subsequently acquired or organized Domestic Subsidiary to become a Loan Party by executing the Guarantee Agreement. In addition, from time to time, the Borrower will, at its cost and expense, promptly secure the Obligations by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, perfected security interests with respect to such of its assets and properties as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall designate (it being understood that it is the intent of the parties that the Obligations shall be secured by, among other things, substantially all the assets of the Borrower (including real and other properties acquired subsequent to the Closing Date)). Such security interests and Liens will be created under the Security Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other instruments and documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Lenders all such instruments and documents (including legal opinions, title insurance policies and lien searches) as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with this Section. The Borrower agrees to provide such evidence as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request as to the perfection and priority status of each such security interest and Lien. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower will give prompt notice to the Administrative Agent of the acquisition by it of any real property (or any interest in real property) having a value in excess of $250,000.

 

SECTION 5.12. Interest Rate Protection. No later than the 180th day after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall enter into, and for a minimum of one year thereafter maintain, Hedging Agreements acceptable to the Administrative Agent that result in at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of its funded long-term Indebtedness being effectively subject to a fixed or maximum interest rate acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, nor will it cause or permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness (including any Disqualified Stock), except:

 

(a) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any extensions, renewals or replacements of such Indebtedness to the extent the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased, neither the final maturity nor the weighted average life to maturity of such Indebtedness is

 

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decreased, such Indebtedness, if subordinated to the Obligations, remains so subordinated on terms no less favorable to the Lenders, and the original obligors in respect of such Indebtedness remain the only obligors thereon;
 
(b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
 
(c) Indebtedness under the Second Lien Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $50,000,000;
 
(d) intercompany Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(c);
 
(e) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(e), when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(f) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;
 
(f) Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations in an aggregate principal amount, when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(e), not in excess of $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;
 
(g) Indebtedness under performance bonds or with respect to workers’ compensation claims, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
(h) Indebtedness acquired or assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that such Indebtedness existed at the time of such Permitted Acquisition and was not created in connection therewith or in contemplation thereof;
 
(i) Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is incurred in compliance with this Section 6.01; provided, however, that any such Guarantee by the Borrower of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an investment in such Subsidiary for purposes of Section 6.04(a); and
 
(j) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $5,000,000 at any time outstanding.
 

SECTION 6.02. Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including Equity Interests or other securities of any person, including

 

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any Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations which they secure on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof permitted hereunder;
 
(b) any Lien created under the Loan Documents;
 
(c) the Second Priority Liens;
 
(d) Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;
 
(e) landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not due overdue by more than 30 days or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;
 
(f) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
 
(g) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
(h) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount and do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
 
(i) purchase money security interests in real property, improvements thereto or equipment hereafter acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 180 days after such acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the lesser of the cost or the fair market value of such real property, improvements or equipment at the time of such acquisition (or construction) and (iv) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
 
(j) Liens arising out of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under paragraph (i) of Article VII; and

 

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(k) other Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, secure obligations (or encumber property with a fair market value) in excess of $3,500,000.
 

SECTION 6.03. Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

 

SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans and Advances. Purchase, hold or acquire any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other person, except:

 

(a) (i) investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries and (ii) additional investments by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries; provided that (A) any such Equity Interests held by the Borrower shall be pledged pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to voting stock of a Foreign Subsidiary referred to therein) and (B) the aggregate amount of investments made after the Closing Date by the Borrower in, and loans and advances made after the Closing Date by the Borrower to, Subsidiaries (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding (net of intercompany royalties, service fees and dividends, in each case paid by any Subsidiary to the Borrower);
 
(b) Permitted Investments;
 
(c) loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by the Borrower shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement and (ii) the amount of such loans and advances made by the Borrower to Subsidiaries shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (a) above;
 
(d) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
 
(e) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to their respective employees so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time outstanding (determined without regard to

 

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any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $1,000,000;
 
(f) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may enter into Hedging Agreements that (i) are required by Section 5.12 or (ii) are not speculative in nature;
 
(g) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may acquire all or substantially all the assets of a person or line of business of such person, or not less than 100% of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of a person (referred to herein as the “Acquired Entity”); provided that (i) such acquisition was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by, the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (ii) at the time of such transaction (A) both before and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (B) the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to such transaction for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b) have been delivered, after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and to any other event occurring after such period as to which pro forma recalculation is appropriate (including any other transaction described in this Section 6.04(g) occurring after such period) as if such transaction had occurred as of the first day of such period; (C) the total consideration paid in connection with such acquisition and any other acquisitions pursuant to this Section 6.04(g) (including any Indebtedness of the Acquired Entity that is assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary following such acquisition) shall not in the aggregate exceed $25,000,000; and (D) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer, certifying as to the foregoing and containing reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (any acquisition of an Acquired Entity meeting all the criteria of this Section 6.04(g) being referred to herein as a “Permitted Acquisition”); and
 
(g) in addition to investments permitted by paragraphs (a) through (g) above, additional investments, loans and advances by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate amount invested, loaned or advanced pursuant to this paragraph (h) (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) does not exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate (plus any returns of capital actually received by the Borrower or the Subsidiary investor in respect of investments theretofore made by it pursuant to this paragraph (h)).
 

SECTION 6.05. Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions. (a)  Merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all the assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) of the Borrower or less than all the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of

 

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transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other person, except that (i) the Borrower and any Subsidiary may purchase and sell inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing (x) any Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary and no person other than the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary receives any consideration (provided that if any party to any such transaction is a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be a Loan Party) and (y) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make investments and acquisitions permitted by Section 6.04.

 

(b)   Make any Asset Sale not otherwise permitted under paragraph (a) above unless (i) such Asset Sale is for consideration at least 75% of which is cash or cash equivalents promptly converted to cash, (ii) such consideration is at least equal to the fair market value of the assets being sold, transferred, leased or disposed of and (iii) the fair market value of all assets sold, transferred, leased or disposed of pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall not exceed (i) $3,000,000 in any fiscal year or (ii) $15,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

SECTION 6.06. Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements. (a)  Declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement), or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so; provided, however, that (i) any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions ratably to its equity holders, (ii) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may pay dividends in respect of Disqualified Stock permitted to be issued hereunder and (iii) the Borrower may make Tax Payments to Parent; provided, however, that the amount of such Tax Payments shall not exceed the amount that the Borrower and the Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of Federal, State and local taxes were the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to pay such taxes as stand-alone taxpayers.

 

(b)   Enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (i) the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (ii) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document, (B) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (C) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed on any Foreign Subsidiary by the terms of any Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted to be incurred hereunder, (D) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (E) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions contained in the Second Lien Loan Documents, (F) clause (i) of the foregoing shall

 

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not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof and (G) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions contained in the Parent Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.07. Transactions with Affiliates. Except for transactions described on Schedule 6.07, sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates other than the Borrower or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, except that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may engage in any of the foregoing transactions at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties.

 

SECTION 6.08. Business of the Borrower and Subsidiaries. Engage at any time in any business or business activity other than the business currently conducted by it and business activities reasonably incidental or ancillary thereto.

 

SECTION 6.09. Other Indebtedness and Agreements. (a)  Permit any waiver, supplement, modification or amendment of the Second Lien Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents (as defined therein) if the effect of such waiver, supplement, modification or amendment would materially increase the obligations of the obligor or confer additional material rights on the holders of such Indebtedness in a manner materially adverse to the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or the Lenders; provided that the foregoing will not prohibit any waiver, supplement, modification or amendment of the Second Lien Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents (as defined therein) expressly permitted by the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)   (i)  Make any distribution, whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, other than regular scheduled payments of interest as and when due, in respect of, or pay, or offer or commit to pay, or directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement) redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire for consideration, or set apart any sum for the aforesaid purposes, any Indebtedness under the Second Lien Credit Agreement (other than with Declined Proceeds applied in accordance with the mandatory prepayment provisions of the Second Lien Credit Agreement as contemplated by Section 2.13(e)), or (ii) pay in cash any amount in respect of any Indebtedness or preferred Equity Interests that may at the obligor’s option be paid in kind or in other securities.

 

SECTION 6.10. Capital Expenditures. (a)  Permit the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in any fiscal year to exceed $9,000,000.

 

(b)   The unused amount of permitted Capital Expenditures set forth in paragraph (a) above in respect of any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2006, may be carried forward and used in the next succeeding fiscal year. For purposes of this paragraph, the amount of Capital Expenditures made in any fiscal year shall be allocated first, to the amount carried forward to such fiscal year from

 

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the immediately preceding fiscal year, and second, to the scheduled amount permitted under paragraph (a) above for such fiscal year.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth below for such fiscal quarter:

 

Fiscal Year

 

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

2006

 

1.85:1

 

1.85:1

 

1.85:1

 

2.00:1

 

2007

 

2.00:1

 

2.00:1

 

2.25:1

 

2.25:1

 

2008

 

3.00:1

 

3.00:1

 

3.00:1

 

3.00:1

 

2009 and thereafter

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

 

SECTION 6.12. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.

 

SECTION 6.13. Maximum Leverage Ratio. Permit the Leverage Ratio at the end of any fiscal quarter set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth below for such fiscal quarter:

 

Fiscal Year

 

First Quarter

 

Second Quarter

 

Third Quarter

 

Fourth Quarter

 

2006

 

6.75:1

 

6.75:1

 

6.75:1

 

6.50:1

 

2007

 

6.00:1

 

5.75:1

 

5.50:1

 

5.25:1

 

2008

 

4.25:1

 

4.25:1

 

4.25:1

 

4.25:1

 

2009 and thereafter

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

3.50:1

 

 

SECTION 6.14. Fiscal Year. With respect to the Borrower, change its fiscal year-end to a date other than December 31 (or a date that is no more than five days before or after December 31).

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

In case of the happening of any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in connection with any Loan Document or the borrowings hereunder, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;

 

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(b) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;
 
(c) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or any Fee or other amount (other than an amount referred to in (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;
 
(d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a) (with respect to the Borrower only) or 5.08 or in Article VI;
 
(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in (b), (c) or (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to the Borrower;
 
(f) (i)  the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, or (ii) any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
 
(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or a Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

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(h) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (g) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
 
(i) one or more judgments shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment and such judgment is for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,500,000;
 
(j) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
 
(k) any Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement for any reason shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Guarantor shall deny in writing that it has any further liability under the Guarantee Agreement (other than as a result of the discharge of such Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);
 
(l) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or Parent not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates representing securities pledged under such Security Document; or
 
(m) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;
 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the

 

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Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent

 

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (for purposes of this Article VIII, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are referred to collectively as the “Agents”) its agent and authorizes the Agents to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents are hereby expressly authorized to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents. Each of the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent shall also act, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, as the collateral agent for the lenders under the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

 

The bank serving as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

 

Neither Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) neither Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) neither Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and

 

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powers expressly contemplated hereby that such Agent is instructed in writing to exercise by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, neither Agent shall have any duty to disclose, nor shall it be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Neither Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and neither Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

 

Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper person. Each Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Each Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facility provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

 

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, either Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such

 

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appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After an Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while acting as Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01. Notices. Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:

 

(a)   if to the Borrower, to it at 11 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010, Attention of General Counsel (Fax No. (212)  ###-###-####);

 

(b)   if to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, to Credit Suisse, Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, Attention of Agency Group (Fax No.  ###-###-####); and

 

(c)   if to a Lender, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

 

All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by fax or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this

 

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Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01. As agreed to among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

 

SECTION 9.02. Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans, regardless of any investigation made by the Lenders or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not been terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20 and 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender.

 

SECTION 9.03. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.

 

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (a)  Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)   Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it), with the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that (i) the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment and after giving effect to such assignment (in each case determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000 (provided that the Loans and Commitments of Lenders that are Affiliates or Related Funds shall be aggregated for purposes of determining such minimum amount), (ii) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent,

 

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manually) and shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), provided that only one such fee shall be payable in the case of concurrent assignments to persons that, after giving effect to such assignments, will be Related Funds, (iii) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and all applicable tax forms and (iv) the consent of the Borrower shall not be required (A) if such assignment is made to another Lender or an Affiliate or Related Fund of a Lender or (B) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default. Upon acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20 and 9.05.

 

(c)   By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:  (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its Commitment, and the outstanding balances of its Loans, in each case without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto, or the financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or observance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee, legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.05(a) or delivered pursuant to Section 5.04, the Intercreditor Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (v) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee agrees to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement; (vii) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the

 

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Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, respectively, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (viii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(d)   The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders may treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(e)   Upon its receipt of, and consent to, a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, an Administrative Questionnaire completed in respect of the assignee (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) above and the written consent of the Administrative Agent and, if required, the Borrower to such assignment and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph (e).

 

(f)   Each Lender may without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent sell participations to one or more banks or other persons in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other persons shall be entitled to the benefit of the cost protection provisions contained in Sections 2.14, 2.16 and 2.20 to the same extent as if they were Lenders (but, with respect to any particular participant, to no greater extent than the Lender that sold the participation to such participant) and (iv) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement (other than amendments, modifications or waivers decreasing the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on the Loans in which such participating bank or person has an

 

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interest, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on the Loans in which such participating bank or person has an interest, increasing or extending the Commitments in which such participating bank or person has an interest or releasing any Guarantor (other than in connection with the sale of such Guarantor in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05) or all or substantially all of the Collateral).

 

(g)   Any Lender or participant may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 9.04, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant any information relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure of information designated by the Borrower as confidential, each such assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall execute an agreement whereby such assignee or participant shall agree (subject to customary exceptions) to preserve the confidentiality of such confidential information on terms no less restrictive than those applicable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.16.

 

(h)   Any Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure extensions of credit to such Lender or in support of obligations owed by such Lender; provided that no such assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(i)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its

 

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Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

 

(j)   The Borrower shall not assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

 

SECTION 9.05. Expenses; Indemnity. (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facility and the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or, during the existence of an Event of Default, any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including the fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender.

 

(b)   The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing persons (each such person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated thereby (including the syndication of the Credit Facility), (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans, (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto (and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates), or (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Subsidiary has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(c)   To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 9.05, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its outstanding Loans at the time.

 

(d)   To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, 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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

(e)   The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 9.06. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under paragraph (b), (c), (g) or (h) of Article VII or, with the consent of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, except to the extent prohibited by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and other Loan Documents held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.07. Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 9.08. Waivers; Amendment. (a)  No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in exercising any power or

 

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right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)   Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall (i) decrease the principal amount of, or extend the maturity of, or any scheduled principal payment date or date for the payment of any interest on, any Loan, or waive or excuse any such payment or any part thereof, or decrease the rate of interest on any Loan, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby, (ii) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender, (iii) amend or modify the pro rata requirements of Section 2.17, the provisions of Section 9.04(j) or the provisions of this Section or release any Guarantor (other than in connection with the sale of such Guarantor in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05) or all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the prior written consent of each Lender, (iv) modify the protections afforded to an SPC pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(i) without the written consent of such SPC or (v) reduce the percentage contained in the definition of the term “Required Lenders” without the prior written consent of each Lender (it being understood that with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Commitments on the date hereof); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 9.09. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.09 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable

 

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to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

SECTION 9.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Fee Letter and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof. Any other previous agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person (other than the parties hereto and thereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereunder and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 9.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

 

SECTION 9.12. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 9.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03. Delivery of an executed signature

 

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page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.14. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.15. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a)  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined only in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)   The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or Federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.16. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or quasi-regulatory authority (such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) in connection with the exercise of any remedies

 

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hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the enforcement of its rights hereunder or thereunder, (e) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.16, to (i) any actual or prospective assignee of or participant in any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective obligations, (f) with the consent of the Borrower or (g) to the extent such Information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.16. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” shall mean all information received from the Borrower and related to the Borrower or Parent or their business, other than any such information that was available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure by the Borrower. Any person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.16 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such person would accord its own confidential information.

 

SECTION 9.17. USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

WEIGHTWATCHERS.COM, INC.,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ DAVID P. KIRCHHOFF

 

 

 

Name: David P. Kirchhoff

 

 

 

Title:   CEO & President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS
BRANCH, individually and as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ ROBERT HETU

 

 

 

Name: Robert Hetu

 

 

 

Title:   Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ CASSANDRA DROOGAN

 

 

 

Name: Cassandra Droogan

 

 

 

Title:   Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

    As Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ LOUISE E. DUCHI

 

 

 

Name: Louise E. Duchi

 

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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COMMERZBANK AG, NEW YORK

 

AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES

 

    As Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ ADAM T. STROM

 

 

 

Name: Adam T. Strom

 

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ HENRY J. SPARK

 

 

 

Name: Henry J. Spark

 

 

 

Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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BAYERISHE HYPO-UND VEREINSBANK AG,

 

NEW YORK BRANCH

 

    As Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ MARTHA G. MARTINEZ

 

 

 

Name: Martha G. Martinez

 

 

 

Title:   Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ JENNIFER LARROW

 

 

 

Name: Jennifer Larrow

 

 

 

Title:   Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOVEREIGN BANK

 

    As Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ ANTONIA BADOLATO

 

 

 

Name: Antonia Badolato

 

 

 

Title:   Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

 

    As Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ JAMES FAYEN

 

 

 

Name: James Fayen

 

 

 

Title:   Deputy General Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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