UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
August 15, 2013
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Nevada | 001-31552 | 87-0543688 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, Massachusetts
01104
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(800) 331-0852
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As described in Item 2.03, on August 15, 2013, we and certain of our direct and indirect Domestic Subsidiaries entered into an unsecured credit agreement with certain lenders, TD Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. The disclosure provided in Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
Revolving Credit Facility
On August 15, 2013, we and certain of our direct and indirect Domestic Subsidiaries, Smith & Wesson Corp., SWSS LLC, Fox Ridge Outfitters, Inc., Bear Lake Holdings, LLC, O.L. Development, Inc., Thompson/Center Arms Company, LLC, and Smith & Wesson Distributing, Inc., entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with certain lenders, TD Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.104. The Credit Agreement provides for the following:
1. A revolving line of credit in the amount of $75 million at any one time. Subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions described in the Credit Agreement, we have an option to increase the revolving line of credit by an amount not exceeding $100 million. Each Loan under the revolving line of credit bears interest at either the Base Rate, plus the Applicable Rate or the LIBOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such borrowing, plus the Applicable Rate. The revolving line of credit matures on the earlier of December 15, 2016, or the date that is six months in advance of the maturity of any Permitted Notes under the Credit Agreement. The Notes evidencing the revolving line of credit are filed herewith as part of Exhibit 10.105.
2. A swingline facility in the maximum amount of $5 million at any one time (subject to availability under the revolving line of credit). Each Swingline Loan bears interest at the Base Rate, plus the Applicable Rate. The Note evidencing the Swingline Loan is filed herewith as part of Exhibit 10.105.
The Credit Agreement contains customary limitations, including, without limitation, limitations on indebtedness; limitations on liens; limitations on fundamental changes to business or organizational structure; limitations on investments, loans, advances, guarantees, and acquisitions; limitations on asset sales; limitations on dividends, stock repurchases, stock redemptions, and the redemption or prepayment of other debt; and limitations on transactions with affiliates. We and our Domestic Subsidiaries are also subject to financial covenants, including, without limitation, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio.
The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, nonpayment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts when due; violation of covenants; breaches of representations or warranties; cross defaults; change of control; insolvency; bankruptcy events; and material judgments. Some of these events of default allow for grace periods or are qualified by materiality concepts. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated and become due and payable immediately.
The foregoing is a summary only and does not purport to be a complete description of all of the terms, provisions, covenants, and agreements contained in the Credit Agreement and the Notes, and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such documents, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.104 and 10.105, respectively, and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Letter of Credit Facility
On August 15, 2013, we and our Domestic Subsidiary, Smith & Wesson Corp. entered into a master letter of credit agreement with T.D. Bank, N.A, as modified by the letter agreement addressed to us from T.D. Bank, N.A. (collectively, the Letter of Credit Agreement). The Letter of Credit Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.106.
Under the Letter of Credit Agreement, TD Bank, M.A. may, at its option and upon our request, issue one or more standby or commercial letters of credit. The Letter of Credit Agreement sets forth our payment obligations with respect to any issued letters of credit. Our obligations under the Letter of Credit Agreement are unsecured.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) | Financial Statements of Business Acquired. |
Not applicable.
(b) | Pro Forma Financial Information. |
Not applicable.
(c) | Shell Company Transactions. |
Not applicable.
(d) | Exhibits. |
Exhibit Number |
Exhibits | |
10.104 | Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, among Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of the Borrowers party thereto, as the Guarantors, TD Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the other Lenders party thereto from time to time, and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, including all exhibits thereto |
2
10.105 | Revolving Notes and Swingline Note, each dated as of August 15, 2013, between Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as Borrowers, and the Lenders named therein | |
10.106 | Master Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, between TD Bank, N.A. and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as modified by the letter agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, addressed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and its Subsidiaries from T.D. Bank, N.A. | |
99.1 | Press release from Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, dated August 19, 2013, entitled Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation Completes $75 Million Unsecured Credit Facility |
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||||
Date: August 19, 2013 | By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||||
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
10.104 | Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, among Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of the Borrowers party thereto, as the Guarantors, TD Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, the other lenders party thereto from time to time, and TD Securities (USA) LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, including all exhibits thereto | |
10.105 | Revolving Notes and Swingline Note, each dated as of August 15, 2013, between Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as Borrowers, and the Lenders named therein | |
10.106 | Master Letter of Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, between TD Bank, N.A. and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as modified by the letter agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, addressed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and its Subsidiaries from T.D. Bank, N.A. | |
99.1 | Press release from Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, dated August 19, 2013, entitled Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation Completes $75 Million Unsecured Credit Facility |
Exhibit 10.104
EXECUTION VERSION
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 15, 2013
Among
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION
and
SMITH & WESSON CORP.,
as Borrowers,
THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWERS PARTY HERETO,
as the Guarantors,
TD BANK, N.A.,
as the Administrative Agent
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto From Time to Time
TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I |
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS | 1 | ||||
1.01. |
Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02. |
Other Interpretive Provisions | 25 | ||||
1.03. |
Accounting Terms | 25 | ||||
1.04. |
Rounding | 26 | ||||
1.05. |
Zone | 26 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS | 26 | ||||
2.01. |
Loans | 26 | ||||
2.02. |
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 27 | ||||
2.03. |
Swingline Loans | 28 | ||||
2.04. |
Appointment of Borrowers Representative | 29 | ||||
2.05. |
Prepayments | 30 | ||||
2.06. |
Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 30 | ||||
2.07. |
Repayment of Loans | 30 | ||||
2.08. |
Interest | 31 | ||||
2.09. |
Fees | 32 | ||||
2.10. |
Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate | 32 | ||||
2.11. |
Evidence of Debt | 33 | ||||
2.12. |
Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback | 34 | ||||
2.13. |
Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 35 | ||||
2.14. |
Increase in Commitments | 36 | ||||
2.15. |
Defaulting Lenders | 37 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY | 39 | ||||
3.01. |
Taxes | 39 | ||||
3.02. |
Illegality | 44 | ||||
3.03. |
Inability to Determine Rates | 45 | ||||
3.04. |
Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans | 45 | ||||
3.05. |
Compensation for Losses | 47 | ||||
3.06. |
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 47 | ||||
3.07. |
Survival | 48 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS | 48 | ||||
4.01. |
Conditions of Initial Loans | 48 | ||||
4.02. |
Conditions to all Credit Loans | 50 |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE V |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 50 | ||||
5.01. |
Existence, Qualification and Power | 50 | ||||
5.02. |
Authorization; No Contravention | 51 | ||||
5.03. |
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 51 | ||||
5.04. |
Binding Effect | 51 | ||||
5.05. |
Solvency | 51 | ||||
5.06. |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 52 | ||||
5.07. |
Litigation | 52 | ||||
5.08. |
No Default | 53 | ||||
5.09. |
Ownership of Property; Liens | 53 | ||||
5.10. |
Environmental Compliance | 53 | ||||
5.11. |
Insurance | 53 | ||||
5.12. |
Taxes | 53 | ||||
5.13. |
ERISA Compliance | 53 | ||||
5.14. |
Subsidiaries; Equity Interests | 54 | ||||
5.15. |
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 55 | ||||
5.16. |
Disclosure | 55 | ||||
5.17. |
Compliance with Laws | 55 | ||||
5.18. |
Taxpayer Identification Number | 55 | ||||
5.19. |
Casualty, Etc | 55 | ||||
5.20. |
Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc | 56 | ||||
5.21. |
OFAC | 56 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 56 | ||||
6.01. |
Financial Statements | 56 | ||||
6.02. |
Certificates; Other Information | 57 | ||||
6.03. |
Notices | 59 | ||||
6.04. |
Payment of Obligations | 60 | ||||
6.05. |
Preservation of Existence, Etc | 60 | ||||
6.06. |
Maintenance of Properties | 60 | ||||
6.07. |
Maintenance of Insurance | 60 | ||||
6.08. |
Compliance with Laws | 60 | ||||
6.09. |
Books and Records | 61 | ||||
6.10. |
Inspection Rights | 61 | ||||
6.11. |
Use of Proceeds | 61 | ||||
6.12. |
Additional Subsidiary Guarantors; Foreign Subsidiaries | 61 | ||||
6.13. |
Depository Banks | 62 | ||||
6.14. |
Further Assurances | 62 |
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE VII |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 62 | ||||
7.01. |
Liens | 62 | ||||
7.02. |
Investments | 64 | ||||
7.03. |
Indebtedness | 64 | ||||
7.04. |
Fundamental Changes | 66 | ||||
7.05. |
Dispositions | 67 | ||||
7.06. |
Restricted Payments | 67 | ||||
7.07. |
Change in Nature of Business | 68 | ||||
7.08. |
Transactions with Affiliates | 68 | ||||
7.09. |
Burdensome Agreements | 68 | ||||
7.10. |
Use of Proceeds | 68 | ||||
7.11. |
Financial Covenants | 69 | ||||
7.12. |
Sanctions | 69 | ||||
7.13. |
Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes | 69 | ||||
7.14. |
Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness | 69 | ||||
7.15. |
Amendment, Etc. of Indebtedness | 70 | ||||
7.16. |
Holding Company Covenant | 70 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | 71 | ||||
8.01. |
Events of Default | 71 | ||||
8.02. |
Remedies Upon Event of Default | 73 | ||||
8.03. |
Application of Funds | 73 | ||||
ARTICLE IX |
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 74 | ||||
9.01. |
Appointment and Authority | 74 | ||||
9.02. |
Rights as a Lender | 74 | ||||
9.03. |
Exculpatory Provisions | 75 | ||||
9.04. |
Reliance by Administrative Agent | 76 | ||||
9.05. |
Delegation of Duties | 76 | ||||
9.06. |
Resignation of Administrative Agent | 76 | ||||
9.07. |
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 77 | ||||
9.08. |
No Other Duties, Etc | 78 | ||||
9.09. |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 78 | ||||
9.10. |
Guaranty Matters | 78 | ||||
ARTICLE X |
MISCELLANEOUS | 79 | ||||
10.01. |
Amendments, Etc | 79 | ||||
10.02. |
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication | 81 | ||||
10.03. |
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 83 | ||||
10.04. |
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 83 | ||||
10.05. |
Payments Set Aside | 85 | ||||
10.06. |
Successors and Assigns | 86 |
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
10.07. |
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 91 | ||||
10.08. |
Right of Setoff | 92 | ||||
10.09. |
Interest Rate Limitation | 92 | ||||
10.10. |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 93 | ||||
10.11. |
Survival of Representations and Warranties | 93 | ||||
10.12. |
Severability | 93 | ||||
10.13. |
Replacement of Lenders | 94 | ||||
10.14. |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc | 94 | ||||
10.15. |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 96 | ||||
10.16. |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 96 | ||||
10.17. |
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents | 96 | ||||
10.18. |
USA PATRIOT Act | 97 | ||||
10.19. |
Joint and several Obligations | 97 | ||||
10.20. |
Subordination | 98 | ||||
10.21. |
Designation as Senior Debt | 98 | ||||
ARTICLE XI |
CONTINUING GUARANTY | 98 | ||||
11.01. |
Guaranty | 98 | ||||
11.02. |
Rights of Lenders | 99 | ||||
11.03. |
Certain Waivers | 99 | ||||
11.04. |
Obligations Independent | 99 | ||||
11.05. |
Subrogation | 100 | ||||
11.06. |
Termination; Reinstatement | 100 | ||||
11.07. |
Stay of Acceleration | 100 | ||||
11.08. |
Condition of Borrowers | 100 | ||||
11.09. |
Appointment of Borrower Representative | 100 | ||||
11.10. |
Right of Contribution | 101 | ||||
11.11. |
Keepwell | 101 |
iv
SIGNATURES |
S-1 | |||||
SCHEDULES |
||||||
1.01 |
Excluded Subsidiaries | |||||
2.01 |
Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |||||
5.06 |
Certain Material Indebtedness | |||||
5.07 |
Litigation | |||||
5.10 |
Environmental Matters | |||||
5.13 |
Pension Matters | |||||
5.14 |
Subsidiaries; Other Equity Investments | |||||
7.01 |
Existing Liens | |||||
7.02 |
Existing Investments | |||||
7.03 |
Existing Indebtedness | |||||
7.17 |
Sale Leaseback | |||||
10.02 |
Administrative Agents Office; Certain Addresses for Notices | |||||
EXHIBITS |
||||||
Form of |
||||||
A |
Loan Notice | |||||
B |
[Reserved] | |||||
C-1 |
Revolving Note | |||||
C-2 |
Swingline Note | |||||
D |
Compliance Certificate | |||||
E-1 |
Assignment and Assumption | |||||
E-2 |
Administrative Questionnaire | |||||
F |
[Reserved] | |||||
G |
[Reserved] | |||||
H |
[Reserved] | |||||
I |
[Reserved] | |||||
K |
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates |
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT (Agreement) is entered into as of August15, 2013, among SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W), and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) from time to time party hereto, each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Lenders and individually, a Lender), and TD BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender.
The Borrowers have requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Acquisition means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Closing Date, by which any Borrower (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.
Administrative Agent means TD Bank in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
Administrative Agents Office means, the Administrative Agents address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrowers and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit E-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Affected Foreign Subsidiary means any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent a pledge of more than 66 2/3% of the voting Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary would cause a Deemed Dividend Problem.
1
Affiliate means, 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.
Aggregate Commitments mean the Commitments of all the Lenders.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement.
Applicable Percentage means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lenders Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.18. If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
Applicable Pledge Percentage means (a) in the case of non-voting Equity Interests, 100% and (b) in the case of voting Equity Interests, 100% but 65% in the case of a pledge by a Loan Party of its Equity Interests in an Affected Foreign Subsidiary.
Applicable Rate means, from time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Leveraged Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b):
Applicable Rate
Pricing Level |
Consolidated Leverage Ratio |
Facility Fee | LIBOR Rate + | Base Rate + | ||||||||||
1 |
³2.50:1 | .375 | % | 2.50 | % | 1.50 | % | |||||||
2 |
³2.00:1 but <2.50:1 | .375 | % | 2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | |||||||
3 |
³1.50:1 but <2.00:1 | .25 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | |||||||
4 |
³1.00:1 but <1.50:1 | .25 | % | 1.75 | % | .75 | % | |||||||
5 |
<1.00:1 | .20 | % | 1.50 | % | .50 | % |
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date through the delivery of the first Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) shall be determined based upon Pricing Level 5.
2
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Arranger means TD Securities (USA) LLC, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole book manager.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Attributable Indebtedness means, on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.
Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
Availability Period means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans pursuant to Section 8.02.
Base Rate means, at any time, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the rate published from time to time by The Wall Street Journal as the U.S. Prime Rate (if such U.S. Prime Rate is expressed as a range, then the top of such range will be used) or, in the event The Wall Street Journal ceases publication of such U.S. Prime Rate, the base, reference or other rate then designated by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, for general commercial loan reference purposes; (b) the sum of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus (ii) one-half of one percent (1/2%); or (c) the sum of (i) the LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of one month at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus (ii) one percent (1.0%). It is acknowledged by the parties to this Agreement that the Base Rate is a reference rate, not necessarily the lowest rate of interest charged, which serves as the basis upon which effective interest rates are calculated for loans making reference thereto. The effective interest rate for the Base Rate Loans will change on the date of each change in the U.S. Prime Rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal, as aforesaid) or, if such U.S. Prime Rate is not so published, on the date of each change in the rate designated by the Administrative Agent as provided above. Base Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
3
Borrower and Borrowers each has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Borrower Representative has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.
Borrowing means, as applicable, (i) a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type, and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 and (ii) a Swingline Borrowing.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agents Office is located, and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
Capital Expenditures means, for the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Cash Management Agreements means, collectively, one or more agreements entered into from time to time by TD Bank with any Loan Party and/or the Borrower Representative relating to cash management services regarding one or more of deposit accounts of the Loan Parties, as such agreement(s) may be amended, restated or modified from time to time.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the Closing date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
4
Change of Control means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Borrower; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of any Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of such Borrower nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of any Borrower by any Person or group; (d) the Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, at least 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of any Subsidiary except as may result from any merger, consolidation or other reorganization permitted under this Agreement; or (e) the occurrence of any Change of Control under and as defined in a Permitted Notes Indenture.
Closing Date means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commitment means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01 and (b) purchase participations in Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the Dollar amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The Commitment of all of the Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $75,000,000.
Company has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated EBITDA means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (ii) income tax expense (with a deduction in case of income tax benefit) for such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any extraordinary charges for such period, (v) any non-cash charges for such period related to stock options and restricted stock granting, and (vi) any other nonrecurring non-cash charges for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period), minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to give effect to Permitted Acquisitions and Dispositions consummated at any time on or after the first day of the relevant period as if each Permitted Acquisition had been effected on the first day of such period and as if each such Dispositions had been consummated on the day prior to the first day of such period, provided, that such calculation of Consolidated EBITDA shall be subject to the Administrative Agents prior written approval of the pro forma calculations.
5
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA, plus Consolidated Rental Expense, minus the unfinanced portion of Capital Expenditures, minus cash taxes paid, minus dividends and distributions paid in cash, to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges.
Consolidated Fixed Charges means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) cash Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, plus (b) Consolidated Rental Expense paid during such period, plus (c) scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness made during such period, plus (d) payments on capital leases made during such period, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Funded Indebtedness means, as of any date of determination, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness at such date (excluding undrawn amount of letters of credit, foreign exchange obligations, other Swap Obligations and cash management obligations), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, for purposes of calculating the financial covenants, any Guarantee and Off-Balance Sheet Liability shall be deemed to be fully funded. In the case of any Guarantee, the amount deemed fully funded shall be the greater of (x) the amount then due on the Guarantee, or (y) the maximum principal amount of the indebtedness then subject to such Guarantee. In the case of any Off-Balance Sheet Liability, the amount deemed fully funded shall be the amount that would be due if such Off-Balance Sheet Liability was due on the date of determination.
Consolidated Interest Charges means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the portion of rent expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended.
Consolidated Net Income means, for any period, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses) for that period, all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Rental Expense means, as of any date of determination, all obligations in respect of fixed, base and contingent rent paid or due by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, during such period under any rental agreements or leases of real or personal property (other than obligations in respect of capital leases).
6
Contractual Obligation means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
Control means 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 ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Deemed Dividend Problem means, with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, such Foreign Subsidiarys accumulated and undistributed earnings and profits being deemed to be repatriated to the applicable parent Loan Party under Section 956 of the Code and the effect of such repatriation causing materially adverse tax consequences to the applicable parent Loan Party in each case as determined by the Borrower Representative in its commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with its legal and tax advisors.
Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum.
7
Defaulting Lender means, subject to Section 2.18(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower Representative, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lenders obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lenders determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower Representative, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.18(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower Representative, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
Disposition or Dispose means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.
Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06 (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).
Environmental Laws means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
8
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of 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 or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment 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 means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
ERISA Event means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
Excluded Subsidiary means each Subsidiary of a Borrower listed on Schedule 1.01; provided that no Subsidiary that Guarantees any Permitted Notes shall be deemed to be an Excluded Subsidiary at any time any such Guarantee is in effect.
9
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Loan Partys failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 11.11 and any other keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Loan Party and any and all guarantees of such Loan Partys Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Loan Party, or grant by such Loan Party of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.
Excluded Taxes means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower Representative under Section 10.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
Existing Credit Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 7, 2010, as amended, among the Loan Parties, as borrowers, TD Bank, as agent, and a syndicate of lenders.
FASB ASC means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
10
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to TD Bank on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
Fee Letter means the letter agreement, dated August 15, 2013, among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.
First Tier Foreign Subsidiary means each Foreign Subsidiary with respect to which any one or more of the Loan Parties directly owns or Controls more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiarys issued and outstanding Equity Interests.
Foreign Lender means, with respect to any Borrower, (a) if such Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if such Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
Foreign Obligor means a Loan Party that is a Foreign Subsidiary.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, a State thereof or the District of Columbia.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Fund means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
11
Guarantee means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term Guarantee as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guaranteed Obligations has the meaning set forth in Section 11.01.
Guarantors means, collectively, the Subsidiaries of the Borrowers (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) as are or may from time to time become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.12.
Guaranty means, collectively, the Guarantee made by the Guarantors under Article XI in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, together with each other guaranty delivered pursuant to Section 6.12.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
Immaterial Subsidiary means a Foreign Subsidiary that (a) has aggregate assets of less than $1,000,000 and (b) has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries with aggregate assets for all such Subsidiaries of more than $1,000,000.
12
Indebtedness means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
(b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than 60 days after the date on which such trade account payable was created);
(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f) capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;
(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and
(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any capital lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.
Indemnified Taxes means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
Indemnitees has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
Information has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
Insufficiency has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.
13
Intercompany Debt means unsecured Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of a Borrower owed to a Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Borrower, which Indebtedness shall (i) to the extent required by the Administrative Agent, be evidenced by promissory notes, (ii) be on terms (including subordination terms) acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (iii) be otherwise permitted under the provisions of Section 7.03.
Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swingline Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
Interest Period means as to each LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Company in its Loan Notice; provided that:
(i) | any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; |
(ii) | any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and |
(iii) | no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. |
Investment means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
IP Rights has the meaning specified in Section 5.20.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
14
Laws means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
Lender has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto, and unless the context requires otherwise, the Swingline Lender.
Lender Parties means the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders.
Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Company and the Administrative Agent.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
LIBOR means the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate or a successor thereto approved by the Administrative Agent (LIBOR) as published by Reuters (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of London Interbank Offered Rate as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credits for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender. LIBOR shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage for each Loan comprising part of the same Borrowing (including conversions, extensions and renewals), to a per annum interest rate determined pursuant to the following formula:
LIBOR Rate = |
LIBOR | |
1 Minus LIBOR Reserve Percentage |
LIBOR Reserve Percentage means, for any day, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time to time under Regulation D of the Board, as such Regulation may be amended from time to time or any successor Regulation, as the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency, special or marginal reserves) applicable with respect to eurocurrency liabilities as that term is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate of LIBOR Rate Loans is determined), whether or not any Lender has any eurocurrency liabilities subject to such reserve requirement at that time.
15
LIBOR Rate Loan means any Loan the rate of interest applicable to which is based with LIBOR Rate.
Loan Documents means this Agreement, each Note, the Guaranty, and the Fee Letter.
Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Loan Parties means, collectively, the Company, S&W and each Guarantor.
London Banking Day means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market.
Master Account means that certain deposit account (account number ending in 6051) of the Borrower Representative maintained with TD Bank and described in and subject to the Cash Management Agreements, and such other account(s) as the Loan Parties (or the Borrower Representative) and TD Bank may, from time to time, designate as master account(s).
Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company or the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
Maturity Date means the earlier of (i) December 15, 2016 or (ii) the date that is six (6) months in advance of the maturity of any Permitted Notes.
Multiemployer Plan means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
Multiple Employer Plan means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Company or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
Non-Consenting Lender means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-Defaulting Lender means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
16
Note means a promissory note made by the Borrowers in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans and Swingline Loans made to the Borrowers, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 and Exhibit C-2, respectively.
Obligations means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Off-Balance Sheet Liability of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any sale and leaseback transaction which is not a capital lease obligation, (c) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any so-called synthetic lease transaction entered into by such Person, or (d) any indebtedness, liability or obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than operating leases).
Organization Documents means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
17
Outstanding Amount means with respect to Loans and Swingline Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Loans and/or Swingline Loans occurring on such date.
Overnight Rate means, for any day, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
Participant Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
Pension Plan means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Company and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Permitted Acquisition means any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:
(a) no Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;
(b) receipt by the Administrative Agent of an officers certificate of the Borrower Representative certifying that both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, each of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents is true and correct (except (i) any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date and (ii) to the extent the Administrative Agent has been notified in writing by the Borrower Representative that any representation or warranty is not correct and the Administrative Agent has explicitly waived in writing compliance with such representation or warranty) and no Default or Event of Default exists, will exist, or would result therefrom;
18
(c) as soon as available, but not less than ten (10) days (or such lesser number of days as the Administrative Agent shall approve in its sole discretion) prior to the closing date of such Acquisition, the Borrower Representative shall have provided the Administrative Agent (i) notice of such Acquisition, specifying the purchase price and closing date, together with a general description of the acquisition targets business and (ii) copies of all business and financial information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, from time to time, including financial statements of the Loan Parties on a pro forma basis reflecting the financial impact of the Acquisition;
(d) the Borrower Representative shall demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to Acquisition on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 3.0:1.0 as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which the Company has furnished financial statements in accordance with Section 6.01(b);
(e) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, the Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, and shall become a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement if such Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary;
(f) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets or Equity Interests of any foreign Person, such Acquisition is a Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loan and Investment;
(g) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets, the Acquisition is structured so that a Loan Party shall acquire such assets;
(h) if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulations T, U or X;
(i) the Person subject to such Acquisition shall have earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the four (4) fiscal quarter period prior to the acquisition date in an amount greater than $0;
(j) such Acquisition shall not be a hostile Acquisition and shall have been approved by the board of directors (or equivalent) and/or shareholders (or equivalent) of the applicable Loan Party and such Person subject to such Acquisition;
(k) if such Acquisition involves a regulated business, such as firearm manufacturing, the Borrower Representative has provided evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that acquisition target is compliant with all applicable regulations and has all licenses, permits and governmental approvals necessary to operate its business and that the acquiring Loan Party has obtained the necessary consents to the transfer of such licenses, permits and governmental approvals;
(l) no Borrower shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that could have a Material Adverse Effect;
19
(m) in connection with an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, all Liens on property of such Person shall be terminated and in connection with an Acquisition of the assets of any Person, all Liens on such assets shall be terminated;
(n) the Person subject to such Acquisition is in the same or a complimentary line of business as the Loan Parties; and
(o) a Responsible Officer of the Company, shall certify (and provide the Administrative Agent with a pro forma calculation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) to the Administrative Agent that, immediately after giving effect to the completion of such Acquisition, on a consolidated basis, the Borrowers will be in compliance with all financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11.
Permitted Dividends means declaration and payment of a dividend in cash by the Company to stockholders so long as at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be less than 3.0:1.0.
Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loan and Investment means, so long as the aggregate of the following do not exceed $20,000,000.00 at any time outstanding:
(a) an investment of cash or property by a Loan Party in a Foreign Subsidiary made on or after the Closing Date and, if applicable, the Loan parties comply with Section 6.12(b) with respect to such investment;
(b) a loan by a Loan Party to a Foreign Subsidiary, a Guarantee by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary or a pledge, security interest or hypothecation by a Loan Party to secure Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary, in each case made on or after the Closing Date; and
(c) an investment of cash or property by a Loan Party in, or loan from a Loan Party to a Foreign Subsidiary for the purpose of making for one or more Permitted Acquisitions and, if applicable, the Loan parties comply with Section 6.12(b) with respect to such investment.
Permitted Investments means:
(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 two hundred seventy (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 Moodys;
20
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and time deposits maturing within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which 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 thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;
(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moodys and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and
(f) Permitted Acquisitions, Permitted Note Repurchase and Redemptions and Permitted Share Repurchase.
Permitted Note Repurchase and Redemption means payments or prepayments applied to the redemption (or repurchase and immediate cancellation) of Permitted Notes so long as at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be less than 3.0:1.0.
Permitted Notes means (i) the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2017 issued by the Company, as issuer and (ii) debt securities issued by the Company after the Closing Date, (a) the terms of which do not provide for any scheduled principal repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligations prior to the date six (6) months after the final maturity date of all Loans (other than customary offers to repurchase upon a change of control, asset sale or event of loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), (b) the covenants, events of default, guarantees, collateral and other terms of which (other than interest rate, call protection and redemption premiums), taken as a whole, are not more restrictive to the Company than those set forth in this Agreement, (c) of which no Subsidiary of the Company is an issuer or guarantor and (d) which are not secured by any Liens on any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Permitted Notes Indenture means the indenture under which any Permitted Notes have been issued; provided, however, no indenture shall be a Permitted Notes Indenture if the limitations therein on the ability of any Borrower to incur Indebtedness are more restrictive to the Borrowers than those set forth in the 2013 Notes Indenture.
Permitted Share Repurchase means redemption or repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company, so long as at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto (x) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be less than 3.0:1.0.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
21
Plan means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Public Lender has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Qualified ECP Guarantor means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an eligible contract participant under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an eligible contract participant at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Recipient means the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Reportable Event means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
Required Lenders means, at any time, at least two (2) Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures representing at least 66-2/3% of the Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Revolving Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
Restricted Payment means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Company 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, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Companys stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).
22
Revolving Credit Exposure means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate Outstanding Amount at such time of its Loans and such Lenders participation in Swingline Loans at such time.
Sanction(s) means any international economic sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majestys Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.
Same Day Funds means immediately available funds.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Specified Loan Party means any Loan Party that is not then an eligible contract participant under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 11.11).
Subsidiary of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Subsidiary or to Subsidiaries shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
Swap Contract means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a Master Agreement), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Swap Obligations means with respect to any Loan Party any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
23
Swap Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Swingline Borrowing means a borrowing of a Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.03(a).
Swingline Lender means TD Bank in its capacity as provider of Swingline Loans, or any successor swingline lender hereunder.
Swingline Limit has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).
Swingline Loan means a loan made pursuant to Section 2.03(a).
Synthetic Lease Obligation means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
TD Bank means TD Bank, N.A.
Threshold Amount means $5,000,000.
Total Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and Swingline Loans.
2013 Notes Indenture has the meaning specified in Section 4.01.
Type means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
U.S. Person means any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III).
24
1.02. Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to 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. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (iii) the words hereto, herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have 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.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including; the words to and until each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and including.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03. Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
25
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Company or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (A) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (B) the Company shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.04. Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05. Zone. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS
2.01. Loans.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a Loan) to the Borrowers in Dollars from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lenders Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment. Within the limits of each Lenders Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Loans may be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, as further provided herein. All Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.03.
26
2.02. Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower Representatives irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or of any conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) one business day prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower Representative is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower Representative fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower Representative fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loans. If the Borrower Representative requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.
(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans, in each case as described in the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing are the initial Loans, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower Representative or the other applicable Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of such Borrower on the books of TD Bank with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a LIBOR Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as LIBOR Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.
27
(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of any change in TD Banks prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans.
(f) This Section 2.02 shall not apply to Swingline Loans.
2.03. Swingline Loans.
(a) To the extent there are insufficient collected funds in the Master Account, as determined on any Business Day by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, to pay the fees and charges and other account activity in the Master Account for such Business Day, the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have given notice to the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender, and automatically and irrevocably requested, the borrowing of a Swingline Loan from the Swingline Lender in the amount of such insufficiency (the Insufficiency). So long as (x) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (y) no Lender is then a Defaulting Lender, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make a Swingline Loan to the Borrowers on such Business Day in the amount of the Insufficiency; provided, however, the making of such Swingline Loan shall not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000 (the Swingline Limit) or (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender exceeding the Commitment of such Lender; provided, further, however, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. The proceeds of each Swingline Loan shall be credited to the Master Account by the Swingline Lender. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrowers may not request a Swingline Loan except in accordance with the procedures set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.03(a). Each such Swingline Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Each Swingline Loan shall be subject to all other terms and conditions applicable to Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swingline Lender for its own account.
28
(b) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which the Lenders will participate. Promptly upon such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner provided in Section 2.12(b) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.12(b) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, through the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amount so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower Representative of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other party on behalf of the Borrowers) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale or participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interest may appear; provided, however, that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent that such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. The purchase or participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.
2.04. Appointment of Borrowers Representative. Each other Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as its representative (the Borrower Representative), and the Company shall act under this Agreement as the representative of each Borrower for all purposes, including, without being limited to, requesting borrowings and receiving account statements and other notices and communications to the Borrowers (or any of them) from the Administrative Agent or any Lender. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, on any request for borrowing, disbursement instruction, report, information or any other notice or communication made or given by the Company, whether in its own name, on behalf of any Borrower, on behalf of the Borrowers, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to make any inquiry or request any confirmation from or on behalf of any Borrower as to the binding effect on it of any such request, instruction, report, information, notice or communication, nor shall the joint and several character of the Borrowers liability for the Obligations be affected.
29
2.05. Prepayments.
(a) Each Borrower may, upon notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, and (B) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (ii) any prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof; and (iii) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if LIBOR Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower Representative, the Borrowers shall jointly and severally make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.18, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(b) If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative at any time that the Total Outstandings at such time exceed an amount equal to the Aggregate Commitments then in effect, then, immediately after receipt of such notice, the Borrowers shall prepay Loans and Swingline Loans in an aggregate amount at least equal to such excess.
2.06. Termination or Reduction of Commitments.
The Borrower Representative may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (iii) the Borrower Representative shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination. If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Commitments under this Section 2.06, the Swingline Limit exceeds the Aggregate Commitments, the Swingline Limit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
2.07. Repayment of Loans. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally repay to the Administrative Agent (i) for the account of the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans made to the Borrowers outstanding on such date and (ii) for the account of the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of (x) the Maturity Date and the (y) first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two (2) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided, that on each date that a Borrowing under Section 2.01 is made, the Borrowers shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.
30
2.08. Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.
(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan or Swingline Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by any Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above), the Borrowers shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
31
2.09. Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the Outstanding Amount of Loans, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans shall not be counted towards usage of the Commitments. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b) Late Charge. The Borrowers agree to jointly and severally pay the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders holding such Obligations, with respect to any payment of principal, interest or fees due under this Agreement that is not made within ten (10) days after its due date, a late charge equal to six percent (6%) of the amount past due.
(c) Other Fees. (i) The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to the Arranger and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts, in Dollars, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii) The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to the Lenders, in Dollars, such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10. Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.
(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
32
(b) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Company or for any other reason, the Company or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Company as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, each Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent or any Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under Section 2.08(b) or under Article VIII. The Borrowers obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
2.11. Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender to a Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, such Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lenders Loans to such Borrower in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to a Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount, currency and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the account and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
33
2.12. Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrowers shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agents Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 11:00 a.m., shall in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by any Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date one Business Day prior to such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the applicable Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to such Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If such Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to such Borrower the amount of such interest paid by such Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by such Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim such Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
34
(ii) Payments by Borrowers; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such 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 such Borrower has not in fact made 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 Same Day 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 the Overnight Rate.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender to any Borrower as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to such Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Loans set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.13. Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it resulting in such Lenders receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in Swingline Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:
(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
35
(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Company or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
2.14. Increase in Commitments.
(a) Request for Increase. Provided there exists no Default, upon not less than ten (10) Business Days nor more than sixty (60) Business Days notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), the Borrower Representative may from time to time, request an increase in the Aggregate Commitments by an amount not exceeding $100,000,000; provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000, and (ii) the Borrower Representative may make a maximum of four such requests. At the time of sending such notice, the Borrower Representative (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten (10) Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders). The terms and conditions applicable to any such increased or additional Commitments shall be the same as all then existing Commitments.
(b) Lender Elections to Increase. Each Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase. Any Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Commitment.
(c) Notification by Administrative Agent; Additional Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower Representative and each Lender of the Lenders responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase and subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Lenders pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
36
(d) Effective Date and Allocations. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Company shall determine the effective date (the Increase Effective Date) and the final allocation of such increase. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date.
(e) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. As a condition precedent to such increase, (i) Schedule 2.01 shall be amended to evidence any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments under this Section, (ii) the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (y) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (B) no Default exists and (iii) each of the Loan Parties shall execute and deliver such other agreements, documents and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to effectuate any such increase. The Borrowers shall prepay any Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments under this Section.
(f) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.
2.15. Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lenders right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders and Section 10.01.
37
(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Swingline Lender hereunder; third, as the Borrower Representative may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fourth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lenders potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fifth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to a Loan Party as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Loan Party against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees. No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
38
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01. Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. (i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.
(ii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(iii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
39
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) Tax Indemnifications. (i) Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified 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 Representative by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.
(ii) Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Party to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such 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 any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).
40
(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower Representative, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or the taxing authorities of a jurisdiction pursuant to such applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation either (A) set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below or (B) required by applicable law other than the Code or the taxing authorities of the jurisdiction pursuant to such applicable law to comply with the requirements for exemption or reduction of withholding tax in that jurisdiction) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that a Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
41
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit K-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower Representative within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit K-2 or Exhibit K-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit K-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
42
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
43
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that each Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Each partys obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02. Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower Representative through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, convert all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBOR Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
44
3.03. Inability to Determine Rates. If in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) the Administrative Agent determines that (i) deposits are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loan, or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (b) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such LIBOR Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower Representative and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the LIBOR Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower Representative may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
3.04. Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e), other than as set forth below);
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower Representative will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
45
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders capital or on the capital of such Lenders holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lenders holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders policies and the policies of such Lenders holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower Representative will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lenders holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower Representative shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower Representative shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders right to demand such compensation, provided that no Borrower shall be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower Representative of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Additional Reserve Requirements. The Borrower Representative shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the LIBOR Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower Representative shall have received at least 10 days prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
46
3.05. Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrowers shall jointly and severally promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by any Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower Representative; or
(c) any assignment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 10.13;
including any loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract. The Borrowers shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each LIBOR Rate Loan made by it at the LIBOR Rate used in determining the LIBOR Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the offshore interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires any Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then at the request of the Borrower Representative such Lender shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
47
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if any Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a), the Borrowers may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
3.07. Survival. All obligations of the Loan Parties under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS
4.01. Conditions of Initial Loans. The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Loans hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agents receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:
(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower Representative;
(ii) Notes executed by the Borrowers in favor of each Lender requesting Notes;
(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;
(iv) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each of the Loan Parties is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
48
(v) a favorable opinion of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, and Orr & Reno, Professional Associates, New Hampshire counsel to certain Guarantors (or such other New Hampshire counsel as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), in each case addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Required Lenders may reasonably request;
(vi) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and (C) that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the incurrence of any Indebtedness hereunder does not violate Section 4.09 of that certain Indenture dated as of June 17, 2013 between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the 2013 Notes Indenture);
(vii) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect;
(viii) evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement has been or concurrently with the Closing Date is being terminated and all Liens securing obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement have been or concurrently with the Closing Date are being released; and
(ix) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders reasonably may require.
(b) Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.
(c) Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Company and the Administrative Agent).
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
49
4.02. Conditions to all Loans. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of a Borrowing (but excluding Loans the proceeds of which are to reimburse the Swingline Lender for Swingline Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Article V and in each other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Loans, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.06 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.
(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof.
Each Loan Notice (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Loan.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01. Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The copy of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which is valid and in full force and effect.
50
5.02. Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is or is to be a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Persons Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any Permitted Notes Indenture, or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.
5.03. Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights or the remedies under the Loan Documents other than authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained.
5.04. Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principals of equity.
5.05. Solvency. (a) (i) The fair value of the assets of the Borrowers, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrowers, taken as a whole, 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; (iii) the Borrowers, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, and (iv) the Borrowers, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Closing Date.
(b) The Borrowers, taken as a whole, do not intend to, or will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, or believe that they or any of their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by them or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of their Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Borrowers will not permit any of their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature, if, as a result of doing so, it could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
51
5.06. Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes and Indebtedness.
(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries dated April 30, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments. Schedule 5.06 sets forth all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries not included in such financial statements, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) The consolidated forecasted balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Companys best estimate of its future financial condition and performance.
5.07. Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Company after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there has been no adverse change in the status, or financial effect on any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, of the matters described on Schedule 5.07.
52
5.08. No Default. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
5.09. Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Company and each Subsidiary has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01.
5.10. Environmental Compliance. The Company and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Company has reasonably concluded that, except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.10, such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.11. Insurance. The properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Company, in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards), with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Company or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
5.12. Taxes. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Company or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.13. ERISA Compliance.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS. To the best knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.
53
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Company and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
(d) Neither the Company or any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than (A) on the Closing Date, those listed on Schedule 5.13 hereto and (B) thereafter, Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.
5.14. Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. The Company has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.14, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 5.14 free and clear of all Liens. The Company has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.14.
54
5.15. Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) No Borrower is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.
(b) None of the Company, any Person Controlling the Company, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5.16. Disclosure. The Borrower Representative, on behalf of all Loan Parties, has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Company represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
5.17. Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.18. Taxpayer Identification Number. The true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number of each Borrower is set forth on Schedule 10.02.
5.19. Casualty, Etc. Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
55
5.20. Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. The Company and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, IP Rights) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person. To the best knowledge of the Company, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Company or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.21. OFAC. No Loan Party, nor any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof is an individual or entity currently the subject of any Sanctions, nor is any Loan Party or any Subsidiary located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Company shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each Subsidiary to:
6.01. Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will furnish to each Lender promptly after receipt thereof) in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company or, if earlier, 15 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC (without giving effect to any extension permitted by the SEC)), a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any going concern or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company (or, if earlier, 15 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC (without giving effect to any extension permitted by the SEC)), a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Companys fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows for the portion of the Companys fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Company as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and
56
(c) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 92 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, forecasts prepared by management of the Company, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the immediately following fiscal year (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date occurs).
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(c), the Company shall not be separately required to furnish such information under subsection (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Company to furnish the information and materials described in subsections (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
6.02. Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will furnish to each Lender promptly after receipt thereof), in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2013, a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Company (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
(b) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Company by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;
(c) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Company, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Company may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
57
(d) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;
(e) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;
(f) Within ten (10) days prior to any merger, consolidation, dissolution or other change in entity structure of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to the terms hereof, provide notice of such change in entity structure to the Administrative Agent, along with such other information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. Provide notice to the Administrative Agent, not less than ten (10) days prior (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent) of any change in any Loan Partys legal name, state of organization, or organizational existence.
(g) Not later than five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of all notices, requests and other documents (including amendments, waivers and other modifications) so received under or pursuant to any instrument, indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement regarding or related to any breach or default by any party thereto or any other event that could materially impair the value of the interests or the rights of any Loan Party or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect and, from time to time upon request by the Administrative Agent, such information and reports regarding such instruments, indentures and loan and credit and similar agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and
(h) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(c) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Company posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Companys website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Companys behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Company to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Company with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
58
Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Loan Parties hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on DebtDomain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or another similar electronic system (the Platform) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to any of the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked PUBLIC which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials PUBLIC, the Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked PUBLIC are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated Public Side Information; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Side Information.
6.03. Notices. Promptly notify the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent will notify each Lender promptly after receipt thereof):
(a) of the occurrence of any Default;
(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Company or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and
59
(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Company or any Subsidiary, including any determination by the Company referred to in Section 2.10(b).
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Company has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04. Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Company or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness.
6.05. Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06. Maintenance of Properties. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.
6.07. Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Company, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance compatible with the following standards) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons and providing for not less than 30 days prior notice to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance.
6.08. Compliance with Laws. Comply with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
60
6.09. Books and Records. (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
6.10. Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Company and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Company; provided, however, (i) that, in the absence of a continuing Event of Default, only one such visit or inspection shall be permitted in any calendar year and (ii) when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Company at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.
6.11. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans for general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document, including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions, Permitted Share Repurchases, Permitted Note Repurchases and Redemptions and working capital purposes.
6.12. Additional Subsidiary Guarantors; Foreign Subsidiaries.
(a) Notify the Administrative Agent at the time that (i) any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or (ii) any Excluded Subsidiary ceases to constitute an Excluded Subsidiary, and promptly thereafter (and in any event within 5 days), cause such Person to (A) become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent such document as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose, and (B) deliver to the Administrative Agent documents of the types referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 4.01(a) and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clause (a)), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b) With respect to the creation or acquisition on any date after the Closing Date, of a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), or if such a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary is no longer an Immaterial Subsidiary on any date, the Borrower Representative shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Administrative Agent as promptly as possible but in any event within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) of such date, for the benefit of the Lenders, the share certificates (or other evidence of equity), if any, owned by a Loan Party pursuant to the terms of a pledge agreement executed by the appropriate Loan Party; provided, however, that no Loan Party shall be required to pledge more than the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the outstanding shares or other Equity Interest in any such First Tier Foreign Subsidiary.
61
(c) With respect to any foreign shares pledged to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, on or after the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall, at all times thereafter, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, have the right to perfect, at the Borrowers cost, payable upon request therefor (including, without limitation, any foreign counsel, or foreign notary, filing, registration or similar, fees, costs or expenses), its security interest in the pledged securities in the respective foreign jurisdiction; provided that, the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion and in consultation with the Borrower Representative, may waive the requirements of this subsection (c) with respect to the perfection of any pledged securities in any foreign jurisdiction to the extent that it determines that the costs of perfecting its security interests in such pledged securities are excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded thereby.
6.13. Depository Banks. Each Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary will maintain TD Bank as a principal depository bank, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity, and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business.
6.14. Further Assurances. Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
7.01. Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:
(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.03(b), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b);
62
(c) Liens for Taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);
(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;
(j) in connection with any Acquisition, any Lien on personal property of the acquisition target with respect to capital leases or purchase money Indebtedness existing prior to acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that (i) such Lien shall be limited to the assets financed by such capital lease or purchase money Indebtedness, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to the inventory, accounts and general intangibles of the acquisition target, (iii) such Lien shall not apply or extend to any other assets or property of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (iv) such Lien shall secure only those obligations it secures on the date of such acquisition, including any extensions, renewals and replacements thereof, and no future obligations, and (v) such Lien was not granted in contemplation of or in connection with such Acquisition;
(k) Liens arising out of sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 7.17; and
63
(l) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under the Uniform Commercial Code covering only the items being collected upon.
7.02. Investments. Make any Investments, other than the following:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) (i) Investments in existence on the Closing Date by a Borrower in Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries and (ii) other Investments in existence on the Closing Date as described in Schedule 7.02; provided, that, other than to the extent permitted by clause (c) below, the amount in each case of (i) and (ii) is not increased after the date of this Agreement;
(c) Investments after the date hereof by a Borrower in Equity Interests in a Guarantor;
(d) loans or advances made by any Borrower to any Guarantor and made by any Guarantor to any Borrower or any other Guarantor;
(e) guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03 or arising by endorsement of items for deposit or collection received in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Investments by a Borrower in any Subsidiary to the extent required to make a Permitted Acquisition in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(g) notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by account debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to plans of reorganization or negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such account debtors Accounts in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;
(h) Investments in the form of Swap Contracts permitted by Section 7.03;
(i) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or consolidates or merges with the Company or any of the Subsidiaries so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;
(j) Investments received in connection with the dispositions of assets permitted by Section 7.05; and
(k) Investments, in the aggregate, not exceeding $150,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Company.
7.03. Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;
64
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder;
(c) Guarantees of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary;
(d) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a market view; and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
(e) Indebtedness in respect of capital leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided, that after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Loan Parties will remain in compliance with Section 7.11;
(f) Indebtedness which represents an extension, refinancing, or renewal of any of the Indebtedness described in clause (b) hereof; provided that, (i) the principal amount or interest rate of such Indebtedness is not increased, (ii) any Liens securing such Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Borrower, (iii) no Loan Party that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect thereto, (iv) such extension, refinancing or renewal does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced or renewed, (v) the terms of any such extension, refinancing, or renewal are not less favorable to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Indebtedness and (vi) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or extension Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness;
(g) Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
65
(h) Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;
(i) Indebtedness in respect of any Permitted Notes;
(j) Intercompany Debt;
(k) Indebtedness in respect of reimbursement obligations owed to TD Bank with respect to letters of credit issued by TD Bank for the account of a Loan Party; and
(l) other unsecured Indebtedness not contemplated by the above provisions; provided that, after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Loan Parties will remain in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11.
7.04. Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:
(a) any Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge with (i) a Borrower, provided that such Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries (other than a Borrower), provided that when any Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person;
(b) any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to a Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be a Borrower or a Guarantor;
(c) in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, any Subsidiary of a Borrower may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided that (i) the Person surviving such merger shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person;
(d) No Loan Party will, or will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, form any new Subsidiary which is a Foreign Subsidiary, except to the extent permitted under the definition of Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loan and Investment; and
(e) Any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) that is a corporation may convert to a limited liability company so long as (a) the Organization Documents of such limited liability company are substantially similar to the Organization Documents of any other Loan Party that is a limited liability company on the Closing Date, (b) the Administrative Agent is satisfied, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the liabilities and obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents continue to be vested in the converted Loan Party and (c) the Administrative Agent is provided not less than 10 Business Days prior written notice of such conversion).
66
7.05. Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:
(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(d) Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary to a Borrower or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be a Borrower or a Guarantor;
(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04;
(f) non-exclusive licenses of IP Rights in the ordinary course of business and substantially consistent with past practice;
(g) sales, transfers and dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;
(h) sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 7.17;
(i) dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary; and
(j) Dispositions by the Company and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05; provided that (i) at the time of such Disposition, no Default shall exist or would result from such Disposition and (ii) the aggregate book value of all property Disposed of in reliance on this clause (j) in any single fiscal year shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total book value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently-ended fiscal year.
7.06. Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any action described below or would result therefrom:
(a) each Subsidiary of the Company (including, without limitation, S&W) may make Restricted Payments to the Company, the Guarantors and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;
67
(b) the Company and each Subsidiary (including, without limitation, S&W) may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person;
(c) the Company may make Permitted Share Repurchases;
(d) the Company may make Permitted Note Repurchases and Redemptions; and
(e) the Company may make Permitted Dividends.
7.07. Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
7.08. Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Company, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate.
7.09. Burdensome Agreements. With the exception of (x) the 2013 Notes Indenture and (y) any other Permitted Notes Indenture, enter into, or permit to exist, any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to a Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to a Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrowers; (iii) of any Borrower to incur Indebtedness under this Agreement); or (iv) of the Company or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person; provided, however, that this clause (iv) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness; or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person.
7.10. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
68
7.11. Financial Covenants.
(a) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company to be less than 1.50:1.00.
(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company to be greater than 3.25:1.00.
7.12. Sanctions. Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any individual, or entity, or in any jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender or otherwise) of Sanctions.
7.13. Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes.
(a) Amend any of its Organization Documents in any manner adverse to the interests and rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under the Loan Documents (it being acknowledged and agreed that the conversion of any Loan Party that is a corporation (other than a Borrower) to a limited liability company shall not be deemed to adversely affect the interests and rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender so long as (a) the Organization Documents of such limited liability company are substantially similar to the Organization Documents of any other Loan Party that is a limited liability company on the Closing Date, (b) the Administrative Agent is satisfied, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the liabilities and obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents continue to be vested in the converted Loan Party and (c) the Administrative Agent is provided not less than 10 Business Days prior written notice of such conversion);
(b) change its fiscal year;
(c) without providing ten (10) days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent), change its name, state of formation, form of organization or principal place of business; or
(d) make any material change in accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.
7.14. Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness. Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy or obligate itself to do so prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner (including by the exercise of any right of setoff), or make any payment in violation of any subordination, standstill or collateral sharing terms of or governing any Indebtedness, except (a) the prepayment of the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (b) regularly scheduled or required repayments or redemptions of Indebtedness under the Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 7.02 and refinancings and refundings of such Indebtedness in compliance with Section 7.02(b) and (c) a Permitted Note Repurchase and Redemption.
69
7.15. Amendment, Etc. of Indebtedness. Amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of any material Indebtedness, including, without limitation, any Permitted Notes, but excluding the Indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents, if such amendment or modification would add or change any terms in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders, or shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity or require any payment to be made sooner than originally scheduled or increase the interest rate applicable thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will not permit any Subsidiary to Guarantee any Permitted Notes without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
7.16. Holding Company Covenant. Permit the Company to engage in any business or activity other than the ownership of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of its Subsidiaries and activities incidental thereto. The Company will not own or acquire any assets (other than Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries as permitted hereunder, the Master Account and the cash proceeds of any Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06) or incur any liabilities (other than liabilities under the Loan Documents and liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with its maintenance of its existence), except in accordance with this Agreement.
7.17. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, 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 that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except as permitted by Schedule 7.17 and except for any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by any Borrower or any Subsidiary that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within ninety (90) days after such Borrower or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset.
7.18. Excluded Subsidiary Covenant. Permit any Excluded Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, (i) enter into or permit to exist any transaction or agreement (including any agreement for the incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, other than the Obligations or the granting of a Lien, other than to secure the Obligations), between itself and any other Person, (ii) engage in any business or conduct any activity (other than the holding of any Investment held on the Closing Date (including, without limitation, increasing any such Investment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) and the performance of ministerial activities and payment of taxes and administrative fees), (iii) transfer any of its assets to, or consolidate or merge with or into, any other Person, (iv) own any property or asset, other than property or assets held on the Closing Date or (v) have any Subsidiaries.
70
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01. Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment. Any Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within five days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants. The Company fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03(a), 6.05, or 6.11 or Article VII, or
(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Company or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Company or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Company or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Company or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the Company or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
71
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) The Company or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments. There is entered against the Company or any Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document;
72
(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control; or
(l) Permitted Notes Indenture. The occurrence of any Event of Default under and as defined in a Permitted Notes Indenture.
8.02. Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;
(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03. Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.17 and 2.18, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender) and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
73
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Company or as otherwise required by Law.
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01. Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints TD Bank to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and neither the Borrowers nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term agent herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
9.02. Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative 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 the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
74
9.03. Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower Representative or a Lender. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall immediately give notice thereof to the Lenders.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
75
9.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative 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 (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may 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. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), 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.
9.05. Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give written notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower Representative. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower Representative, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the Resignation Effective Date), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower Representative and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower Representative, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the Removal Effective Date), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
76
(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrowers and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agents resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative 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 the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
(d) Any resignation by TD Bank as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as Swingline Lender. If TD Bank resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.03(b). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor Swingline Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Swingline Lender, as applicable, and (ii) the retiring Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.
9.07. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties 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 Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties 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, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
77
9.08. No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunners or Arrangers listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.
9.09. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
9.10. Guaranty Matters. Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.09, the Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents.
78
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrowers or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01(a) without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or change the manner of computation of any financial ratio (including any change in any applicable defined term) used in determining the Applicable Rate that would result in a reduction of any interest rate on any Loan or any fee payable hereunder without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of any Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(e) change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;
(f) [Reserved].
79
(g) change any provision of this Section or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder without the written consent of each Lender; or
(h) release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Guarantor is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone);
(i) and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (A) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender; (B) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provision set forth herein; and (C) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Loan Party to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit facilities to this Agreement, in each case subject to the limitations in Section 2.14, and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.
80
10.02. Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all 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 facsimile as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower Representative or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Company).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Borrower Representative may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
81
(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS IS AND AS AVAILABLE. THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the Agent Parties) have any liability to any Borrower, any Lender, any Loan Party or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Companys, any other Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet.
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the Private Side Information or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lenders compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the Public Side Information portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Company or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties jointly and severally shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
82
10.03. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Swingline Lender) hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
10.04. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof, including, without limitation, in connection with any pledge of Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
83
(b) Indemnification by the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Company or any other Loan Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by a Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; 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 willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by a Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if a Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 10.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
84
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrowers for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or the Swingline Lender, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the Swingline Lender, such Lenders pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lenders share of the Revolving Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided further 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 any such sub-agent) or the Swingline Lender, in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the Swingline Lender, in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, 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, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after written demand therefor.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
10.05. Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
85
10.06. Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
86
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower Representative otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swingline Lenders rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans.
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower Representative (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof; and provided further that the Borrower Representatives consent shall not be required during the primary syndication of the credit facility provided herein;
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
(C) the consent of the Swingline Lender shall be required.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
87
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Company or any of the Companys Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural Person.
(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Swingline Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders 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 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, each Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
88
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) 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 absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall 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. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Company or any of the Companys Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participation in Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders 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 and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.
89
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower Representatives request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower Representative to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower Representative, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f) Resignation as Swingline Lender After Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time TD Bank assigns all of its Commitments and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, TD Bank may, upon 30 days written notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation, the Borrower Representative shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower Representative to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of TD Bank as Swingline Lender. If TD Bank resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all of the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.03(b). Upon the appointment of a successor Swingline Lender, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Swingline Lender and (ii) the retiring Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan documents.
90
10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (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 required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-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) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.16(c) and Section 10.01 or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any of the Borrowers and their obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrower Representative or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company. For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the Company or any Subsidiary relating to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 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 to its own confidential information.
Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.
91
Further, the foregoing notwithstanding, the Loan Parties agree that the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender may (i) disclose a general description of transactions arising under the Loan Documents for advertising (including any tombstone or comparable advertising), marketing or other similar purposes and (ii) use any Loan Partys name, logo or other indicia germane to such party in connection with such advertising, marketing or other similar purposes. The obligations of the Administrative Agent and Lenders under this Section 10.07 shall supersede and replace the obligations of the Administrative Agent and Lenders under any confidentiality agreement in respect to the financing evidenced hereby executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent or any Lender prior to the date hereof. In addition to the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and each Lender may disclose the existence of this Agreement and the information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
10.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of such Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender its Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.18 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.09. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower Representative. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder. In addition, the differential between the amount of interest which would have otherwise been payable under the Loan Documents assuming no applicable Maximum Rate and the amount actually paid on a current basis after giving effect to the Maximum Rate shall be carried forward and shall be payable on any subsequent date of calculation so as to result in a recovery of interest previously unrealized (because of the limitation imposed by such Maximum Rate) at a rate of interest, and as part of the interest payable, that, after giving effect to the recovery of such differential and all other interest paid and accrued under this Agreement to the date of calculation, does not exceed the then applicable Maximum Rate.
92
10.10. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
10.11. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Loan, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
10.12. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
93
10.13. Replacement of Lenders. If the Borrowers are entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrowers jointly and severally shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06(b);
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
10.14. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
94
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION 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 OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
95
10.15. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON 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 BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.16. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Company and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, and the Lenders are arms-length commercial transactions between the Company, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) each of the Company and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Company and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Company and each other Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
10.17. Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words execute, execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
96
10.18. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Act), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Borrower in accordance with the Act. Each Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable know your customer and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
10.19. Joint and several Obligations.
(a) Each of the Borrowers expressly represents and acknowledges that it is part of a common enterprise with the other Borrowers and that any financial accommodations by the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders to any other Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are and will be of direct and indirect interest, benefit and advantage to the Borrowers. Each Borrower hereby agrees that such Borrower is jointly and severally liable for, and hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to the Administrative Agent and Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, the full and prompt payment (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) and performance of, all Obligations owed or hereafter owing to the Administrative Agent and Lenders by each other Borrower, including, without limitation, the Loans. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligation hereunder is a continuing guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection, that its obligations under this Section 10.19 shall not be discharged until payment and performance, in full, of the Obligations has occurred, and that its obligations under this Section 10.19 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, irrespective of, and unaffected by, (i) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or instrument to which any Borrower is or may become a party; (ii) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section 10.19), any other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by the Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to any of the provisions thereof; (iii) the insolvency of any Borrower or Subsidiary; and (iv) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor. Each Borrower shall be regarded, and shall be in the same position, as principal debtor with respect to the Obligations guaranteed hereunder.
97
(b) The Borrowers acknowledge that any Loan Notice or other notice or request given by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent shall bind the Borrowers, and that any notice given by the Administrative Agent or any other Lender to the Borrower Representative shall be effective with respect to the Borrowers. Each of the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees that the Borrowers shall be liable, on a joint and several basis, for all of the Loans and other Obligations, regardless of which Borrower actually may have received the proceeds of any of the Loans or other extensions of credit or the amount of such Loans received or the manner in which the Administrative Agent or any other Lender accounts among the Borrowers for such Loans or other extensions of credit on its books and records, and further acknowledges and agrees that Loans and other extensions of credit to the Borrowers inure to the mutual benefit of all of the Borrowers and that the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders are relying on the joint and several liability of the Borrowers in extending the Loans and other financial accommodations hereunder.
10.20. Subordination. Each Loan Party (a Subordinating Loan Party) hereby subordinates the payment of all obligations and indebtedness of any other Loan Party owing to it, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including but not limited to any obligation of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party as subrogee of the Lender Parties or resulting from such Subordinating Loan Partys performance under the Guaranty, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Obligations. If the Administrative Agent so requests, any such obligation or indebtedness of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the Lenders and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may make and receive payments with respect to Intercompany Debt; provided, that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any Intercompany Debt at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Administrative Agent.
10.21. Senior Credit Facility. All Obligations shall be deemed a Senior Credit Facility for the purposes of and as defined in the 2013 Notes Indenture.
ARTICLE XI
CONTINUING GUARANTY
11.01. Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantees, as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all Obligations (for each Guarantor, subject to the proviso in this sentence, its Guaranteed Obligations); provided that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor and (b) the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law. The Administrative Agents books and records showing the amount of the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor, and conclusive for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Obligations. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Guarantors, or any of them, under this Guaranty, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing.
98
11.02. Rights of Lenders. Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Lender Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.
11.03. Certain Waivers. Each Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrowers or any other guarantor, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Lender Party) of the liability of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantors obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting any Guarantors liability hereunder; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrowers or any other Loan Party, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Lender Party whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any Lender Party; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Obligations.
11.04. Obligations Independent. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrowers or any other person or entity is joined as a party.
99
11.05. Subrogation. No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and the Commitments are terminated. If any amounts are paid to a Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Lender Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Lender Parties to reduce the amount of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.
11.06. Termination; Reinstatement. This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of all Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until indefeasible payment in full of all Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower or a Guarantor is made, or any of the Lender Parties exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Lender Parties in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Lender Parties are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of each Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Guaranty.
11.07. Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against a Guarantor or a Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor, jointly and severally, immediately upon demand by the Lender Parties.
11.08. Condition of Borrowers. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrowers and any other guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrowers and any such other guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Lender Parties has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Lender Parties at any time, to disclose to it any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or any other guarantor (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Lender Parties to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).
11.09. Appointment of Borrower Representative. Each of the Guarantors hereby appoints the Borrower Representative to act as its agent for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and agrees that (a) the Borrower Representative may execute such documents on behalf of such Guarantor as the Borrower Representative deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Guarantor shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower Representative shall be deemed delivered to each Guarantor and (c) the Administrative Agent or the Lenders may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, instrument or agreement executed by the Borrower Representative on behalf of each Guarantor.
100
11.10. Right of Contribution. The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under applicable Law.
11.11. Keepwell. Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantors obligations and undertakings under this Article XI voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a keepwell, support, or other agreement for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
101
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWERS | ||
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: | Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Title: | EVP, CFO and Treasurer | |
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: | Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Title: | EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
GUARANTORS | ||||||||
O.L. DEVELOPMENT, INC. | SWSS LLC | |||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | |||||||
THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS COMPANY, LLC | FOX RIDGE OUTFITTERS, INC. | |||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | |||||||
SMITH & WESSON DISTRIBUTING, INC. | BEAR LAKE HOLDINGS, LLC | |||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
TD BANK, N.A., as | ||
Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
/s/ Maria Goncalves | |
Name: |
Maria Goncalves | |
Title: |
Regional Vice President |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
TD BANK, N.A., as a Lender | ||
and Swingline Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Maria Goncalves | |
Name: | Maria Goncalves | |
Title: | Regional Vice President |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
PEOPLES UNITED BANK, as a Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Edward S. Borden | |
Name: | Edward S. Borden | |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender | ||
By: | /s/ E.F. Hawke | |
Name: |
E.F. Hawke | |
Title: |
Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
[Form of] Loan Notice
Date: [ , ]
TO: | TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
RE: | Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, by and among SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation, and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation, as borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement) |
DATE: | [Date] |
The Borrower Representative hereby requests (select one):
¨ | A Borrowing of Loans |
¨ | A [conversion] or [continuation] of [LIBOR Rate][Base Rate] Loans |
1. | On (the Credit Extension Date). |
2. | In the amount of $ . |
3. | Comprised of:¨ Base Rate Loans |
¨ LIBOR Rate Loans
[4. | For LIBOR Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of months.] |
The Borrowing requested herein complies with the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the Credit Extension Date.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. pdf or tif) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
EXHIBIT C-1
[FORM OF] REVOLVING NOTE
$[ ]
August 15, 2013
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to [ ] or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
EXHIBIT C-2
[FORM OF] SWINGLINE NOTE
$ | August 15, 2013 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to TD Bank, N.A. or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Swingline Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan from the date of such Swingline Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Swingline Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swingline Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF] COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
Financial Statement Date: [ , ]
TO: | TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent |
RE: | Credit Agreement dated as of August 15, 2013 by and among SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation, as borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement) |
DATE: | [Date] |
The undersigned hereby certifies as of the date hereof that [he/she] is the [Chief Financial Officer] [Treasurer] [Controller] of the Company, and that, as such, [he/she] is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties, and that:
[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]
1. The Loan Parties have delivered the year-end audited financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.
[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]
1. The Loan Parties have delivered the unaudited consolidated financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Company and its Subsidiaries ended as of the above date. Such financial statements fairly present the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
2. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under [his/her] supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by such financial statements.
3. A review of the activities of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Loan Parties performed and observed all their obligations under the Loan Documents, and
[select one:]
[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period each of the Loan Parties performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and no Default has occurred and is continuing.]
or
[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default and its nature and status:]
4. The representations and warranties of the Borrowers and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement and in each other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they were true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Compliance Certificate, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.06 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, including the statements in connection with which this Compliance Certificate is delivered.
5. The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule A attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of this Certificate.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Certificate by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Certificate.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Compliance Certificate on the day and year first mentioned above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: |
||
Name: |
||
Title: |
Schedule A
Financial Statement Date: [ , ] (Statement Date)
I. | Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: |
The actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such period is: | to 1.00 | |||||
The minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio required for such period is: | 1.50 to 1.00 | |||||
In Compliance: | [Yes][No] | |||||
The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio has been calculated as follows: | ||||||
A. | Consolidated Net Income | $__________ | ||||
B. | Plus: | Consolidated Interest Expense | $__________ | |||
C. | Plus: |
Income Tax Expense (with a deduction in case of income tax benefit) |
$__________ | |||
D. | Plus: | Depreciation and Amortization Expense | $__________ | |||
E. | Plus: | Extraordinary Charges | $__________ | |||
F. | Plus: | Non-Cash Charges for such period related to Stock Options and Restricted Stock Grants | $__________ | |||
G. | Plus: | Other Nonrecurring Non-Cash Charges (but excluding any non-cash charge included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period) |
$__________ | |||
H. | Less: | Extraordinary Gains and Non-Cash Income | $(_________) | |||
I. | Consolidated EBITDA | $__________ | ||||
J. | Plus: | Consolidated Rental Expense | $__________ | |||
K. | Less: | Unfinanced Capital Expenditures | $(_________) | |||
L. | Less: | Cash Taxes Paid | $(_________) | |||
M. | Less: | Dividends and Distributions Paid in Cash | $(_________) | |||
N. | Consolidated Net Cash Available for Debt Service | $__________ | ||||
O. | Cash Consolidated Interest Expense | $__________ | ||||
P. | Plus: | Consolidated Rental Expense Paid | $__________ | |||
Q. | Plus: | Scheduled Principal Repayments on Indebtedness made | $__________ | |||
R. | Plus: | Capital Lease Obligation Payments Made | $__________ | |||
S. | Consolidated Fixed Charges | $__________ | ||||
U. | Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (N divided by S) | __________x |
II. Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio:
The actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio for such period is: | to 1.00 | |||||
The Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio allowed for such period is: | 3.25 to 1.00 | |||||
In Compliance: | [Yes][No] | |||||
The Consolidated Leverage Ratio has been calculated as follows: | ||||||
A. | Total Loans outstanding | $__________ | ||||
B. | Plus: | Other Outstanding Indebtedness of the Companies: | $__________ | |||
C. | i. | Amount due on Guaranties | $__________ | |||
ii. | Maximum Principal Amount of Indebtedness Guaranteed |
$__________ | ||||
iii. | Greater of (i) or (ii) | $__________ | ||||
iv. | Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities | $__________ | ||||
v. | Contingent Liabilities (Sum of iii and iv) | $__________ | ||||
D. | Total Funded Debt (A plus B plus C(v)) | $__________ | ||||
E. | Consolidated EBITDA (from above) | $__________ | ||||
F. | Consolidated Leverage Ratio (D divided by E) | __________x |
EXHIBIT E-1
[FORM OF] ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (this Assignment and Assumption) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] Assignor) and [the][each]2 Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] Assignee). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]3 hereunder are several and not joint.]4 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the Credit Agreement), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (a) all of [the Assignors][the respective Assignors] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Documents in the amount[s] and equal to the percentage interest[s] identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below and (b) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Documents or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (a) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] Assigned Interest). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.
1. | Assignor[s]: | |||||
2. | Assignee[s]: | |||||
[for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]] | ||||||
3. | Borrowers: Smith & Wesson Corp., a Delaware corporation and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a Nevada corporation |
1 | For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language. |
2 | For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language. |
3 | Select as appropriate. |
4 | Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees. |
4. | Administrative Agent: TD Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement |
5. | Credit Agreement: Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013 among Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp., as borrowers (each a Borrower and collectively, the Borrowers), the Guarantors from time to time thereto, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent |
6. | Assigned Interest: |
Assignor[s]5 |
Assignee[s]6 | Aggregate Amount of Commitment/ Loans for all Lenders |
Amount of Commitment / Loans Assigned |
Percentage Assigned of Commitment/ Loans7 |
||||||||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
$ | $ | % | ||||||||||||
$ | $ | % |
Effective Date: , 20 [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
5 | List each Assignor, as appropriate. |
6 | List each Assignee, as appropriate. |
7 | Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder. |
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
ASSIGNOR | ||
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ASSIGNEE | ||
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE] | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Consented to and]8 Accepted: | ||
TB BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
[Consented to:]9 | ||
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: |
||
Name: | ||
Title: |
8 | To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. |
9 | To be added only if the consent of the Borrower Representative is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. |
ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
Standard Terms and Conditions for Assignment and Assumption
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1. Assignor. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrowers, any of their Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrowers, any of their Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2. Assignee. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under the terms of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under the terms of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent 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 Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor 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 the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
EXHIBIT E-2
FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
See Attached.
ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FORM
ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp.
Agent Address: |
6000 Atrium Way |
Return to: | Investor Processing | |||
Mount Laurel, NJ |
Tel.: | (888) 751-9000 | ||||
08054 |
E-mail: | investorprocessing@yesbank.com | ||||
CC: | david.kelson@tdsecurities.com |
It is very important that all of the requested information be completed accurately and that this questionnaire be returned promptly. If your institution is sub-allocating its allocation, please fill out an administrative questionnaire for each legal entity.
Legal Name of Lender to appear in Documentation:
Name of Lender for any eventual Tombstone: |
Signature Block Information: |
Lender Parent: |
Domestic Lending Office
Address: |
||||
Attention: |
||||
Telephone: |
||||
Facsimile: |
||||
E-Mail Address: |
Contacts/Notification Methods: Borrowings, Paydowns, Interest, Fees, etc.
Primary Credit Contact | Secondary Credit Contact | |||||||
Name: |
||||||||
Company: |
||||||||
Title: |
||||||||
Address: |
||||||||
Telephone: |
||||||||
Facsimile: |
||||||||
E-Mail Address: |
||||||||
Primary Operations Contact | Secondary Operations Contact | |||||||
Name: |
||||||||
Company: |
||||||||
Title: |
||||||||
Address: |
||||||||
Telephone: |
||||||||
Facsimile: |
||||||||
E-Mail Address: |
||||||||
L/C Contact | Primary Legal Counsel | |||||||
Name: |
||||||||
Company: |
||||||||
Title: |
||||||||
Address: |
||||||||
Telephone: |
||||||||
Facsimile: |
||||||||
E-Mail Address: |
Lenders US Wire Instructions | ||
Bank Name: |
||
City, State: |
||
ABA/Routing No.: |
||
Account Name: |
||
Account No.: |
||
Benef. Acct. Name: |
||
Benef. Acct. No.: |
||
Attention: |
||
Reference: |
||
Agents Wire Instructions | ||
Bank Name: |
TD Bank, N.A. | |
ABA/Routing No.: |
031101266 | |
Account Name: |
Participation Loan WIP-Attn: Investor Processing | |
Account No.: |
[ ] | |
Attention: |
Investor Processing | |
Reference: |
Smith & Wesson |
EXHIBIT K-1
[FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Smith & Wesson Corp., a Delaware corporation and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as borrowers (each a Borrower and, collectively, the Borrowers), the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent shareholder of either Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to either Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF FOREIGN LENDER] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: | , |
EXHIBIT K-2
[FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Smith & Wesson Corp., a Delaware corporation and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as borrowers (each a Borrower and, collectively, the Borrowers), the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent shareholder of either Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the either Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: | , |
EXHIBIT K-3
[FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Smith & Wesson Corp., a Delaware corporation and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as borrowers (each a Borrower and, collectively, the Borrowers), the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (c) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of either Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to either Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: | , |
EXHIBIT K-4
[FORM OF] U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Smith & Wesson Corp., a Delaware corporation and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as borrowers (each a Borrower and, collectively, the Borrowers), the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the Credit Agreement; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (c) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of either Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to either Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partners/members beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
[NAME OF LENDER] | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: | , |
Exhibit 10.105
REVOLVING NOTE
$30,000,000.00 | August 15, 2013 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to TD Bank, N.A. or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | ||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
(Signature Page to Revolving Note (TD Bank))
REVOLVING NOTE
$25,000,000.00 | August 15, 2013 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to Peoples United Bank or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | ||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
(Signature Page to Revolving Note (Peoples United Bank)
REVOLVING NOTE
$20,000,000.00 | August 15, 2013 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to Branch Banking and Trust Company or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | ||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
(Signature Page to Revolving Note (BB&T))
SWINGLINE NOTE
$5,000,000.00 | August 15, 2013 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation (the Company), and SMITH & WESSON CORP., a Delaware corporation (S&W, and, together with the Company, the Borrowers and, each a Borrower), hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to TD Bank, N.A. or its registered assigns (the Lender), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Swingline Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrowers under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrowers, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers jointly and severally promise to make principal payments as specified in the Credit Agreement, and pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan from the date of such Swingline Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the holder is entitled to the benefits thereof. Swingline Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swingline Loans and payments with respect thereto.
Each Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Note by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have executed this Note as an instrument under seal as of the day first written above.
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer | ||
SMITH & WESSON CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
(Signature Page to Swingline Note)
Exhibit 10.106
MASTER LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
Master Letter of Credit Agreement between TD Bank, NA (the Bank) and Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and Smith & Wesson Corp. (collectively, the Customer).
In consideration of issuance by Bank, or a correspondent bank if Bank so requests, from time to time, upon Customers application and at Banks option, of one or more standby or commercial letters of credit (all the provisions of this Agreement, except as specifically noted otherwise, apply to both standby and commercial letters of credit, and both such types of letters of credit are hereinafter referred to as a Credit) the undersigned Customer, intending to be legally bound hereby, agrees with Bank that the following terms and conditions shall apply to each Credit issued by Bank for Customers account:
1. Applications for the Issuance of Credit: Customer shall request the issuance of any Credit pursuant to this Agreement by completing Banks then current application form or by any other means permitted by Banks then current application procedures (hereinafter, each such request shall be referred to as an Application). Each Application shall constitute a certification by Customer that any representation, warranty or commitment made by Customer in this Agreement is true and correct as of the date of such Application. Upon Banks receipt of an Application, Bank may elect but shall not be required to issue a Credit in response thereto. Amendments to any Application and requests to amend any Credit issued by Bank shall be in accordance with Bank procedures governing such amendments. Upon Banks receipt of a request for amendment of a Credit, Bank may elect, but shall not be required, to so amend such Credit. Customer expressly acknowledges and agrees that in order to make Applications or request amendments by certain means permitted by Banks procedures (including, but not limited to, electronic transmissions), Customer shall be required to execute one or more additional agreements governing Customers mutual rights and duties with respect thereto. From time to time, Bank may request a correspondent bank to issue the Credit.
2. Customers Payment Obligations:
(a) Customer agrees to pay Bank UPON DEMAND and in same-day funds at Banks (or such other place as Bank shall designate):
(i) as to any drafts or claims payable in United States currency drawn under or made in connection with any Credit, all amounts paid or payable by Bank under or pursuant to such Credit;
(ii) as to any drafts or claims payable in currency other than United States currency drawn under or made in connection with any Credit, the equivalent in United States currency of the amount paid or payable by Bank at Banks then-applicable selling rate of exchange for such foreign currency, for cable transfers to the place of payment of the foreign currency, together with interest thereon from the date of Banks payment or, if Bank elects, the actual cost to Bank (after exchange commissions) of settlement of Banks obligation to the drawer of the draft of claimant of funds under the Credit;
(iii) a fee or commission for each Credit issued by Bank at such rate as Bank determines to be proper in connection with any Credit;
(iv) all costs and expenses incurred by Bank or any correspondent bank in connection with the Credit or this Agreement, including reasonable attorney and paralegal fees, disbursements and other legal expenses including, without limitation, such fees and expenses arising in any bankruptcy proceedings, (collectively Legal Expenses) and charges of other banks;
(v) such amounts as may be necessary to compensate Bank for any increased cost attributable to a Credit resulting from any law or regulation, any change in any law or regulation, or any interpretation thereof by any court or administrative or governmental authority charged or claiming to be charged with the administration thereof, or any change in generally accepted accounting principles applicable to Bank, which shall (i) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against any Credits issued by Bank or with respect to this Agreement, the Credit or any related document or any transactions hereunder or thereunder, or (ii) impose on Bank any other condition regarding this Agreement, the Credit or any related document, or (iii) subject Bank to any tax, similar measure, shall be to increase the cost to Bank of issuing or maintaining any Credit or reduce the amount of principal of, interest on, or any fee or compensation receivable by Bank in respect of any Credit or this Agreement;
(vi) a fee which will adequately compensate Bank, in Banks reasonable judgment, for any adverse impact on Bank due to any change in applicable law or regulations, or any interpretation thereof by any court or administrative or governmental authority charged or claiming to be charged with the administration thereof, or any change in generally accepted accounting principles applicable to Bank, which do not increase any cost to Bank or decrease any fee or compensation to Bank. For the purpose of Section 2(a)(v) and (vi) of this Agreement, Banks determination of such increased cost and the allocable share attributable to each Credit shall be deemed correct in the absence of manifest error, and any other reference to Bank shall be deemed to include any person to whom Bank has sold a participation in any Credit under this Agreement.
(vii) any amounts arising and owing from Customer or for which Customer is liable, arising under any agreements, relating to any such Credit or any application.
(b) All payments to which Bank is entitled pursuant to this Section 2 shall be made by Customer in United States currency, unless Customer obtains Banks prior consent to receive payments in another currency. In the event Bank so consents, Customer agrees to pay Bank, in accordance with Banks then-current exchange rates, plus Banks applicable exchange commissions.
(c) All payments to which Bank is entitled pursuant to this Section 2 shall be made to Bank free and clear of and without deduction for any present and future taxes, exchange regulation charges or other levies, deductions or withholdings of any kind and all liabilities with respect thereto.
(d) If Bank so elects, Customer authorizes Bank to charge any of Customers accounts with Bank at any of Banks branches for all monies paid or owed by Customer to Bank in connection with any Credit. Alternatively, Customer expressly authorizes Bank to obtain, on Customers behalf, payment from any of Banks affiliates where Customer maintains any account or accounts.
(e) If any amounts payable to Bank pursuant to this Section 2 are not paid when due, such amounts shall thereafter bear interest at the default rate of four percent (4%) greater than the floating rate of Zero Percent (0%) above Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, or if such Wall Street Journal Prime Rate shall cease to be published, a comparable rate established by Bank in its reasonable discretion. Interest shall be calculated thereon for the actual number of days that principal is outstanding based on a year of 360 days. If such increased rate of interest may not be collected under applicable law due to amount limitations then at the maximum rate of interest, if any, which may be collected under applicable law. Customer expressly acknowledges and agrees that Bank shall have the unrestricted right to demand payment reasonably in advance of the presentation of any sight drafts or payment demands or the maturity of any time drafts and that, for all purposes of this Agreement, the date of Banks demand shall be the date upon which payment is due Bank.
(f) The drawn amount (to the extent unreimbursed to Bank) and the undrawn amount of all Credits shall constitute outstanding advances by Bank for purposes of calculating credit availability under any line of credit or revolving credit facility made available by Bank to Customer.
(g) Customer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Bank and Banks correspondents from any loss, cost (including, but not limited to Legal Expenses), or damage arising in connection with any request for issuance of, payment under, or otherwise related to a Credit not involving Banks gross negligence or willful misconduct, including but not limited to (i) any failure of the Customer to comply with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) obligations and responsibilities imposed by foreign laws or customs for which the Customer is liable to indemnify the Bank under the UCP, or (iii) Banks dishonor of a draft or demand at the Customers request or pursuant to an injunction. For purposes of the indemnification obligations provided for in this Section (2)(g), Bank shall include Banks officers, directors, employees agents and affiliates. Bank shall have the right to select counsel employed by Customer in any defense initiated pursuant to this Section (2)(g).
2
3. Customer Examination of Credits, Instruments and Documents; Discrepancies:
(a) As to any Credit to be issued by Bank, Customer will promptly examine a copy of the Credit (and any amendments thereof) sent to Customer by Bank and all instruments and documents (or copies thereof) delivered to Customer from time to time by Bank, as Customer will, within one (1) business day of Customers receipt thereof, notify Bank by telecommunication or other expeditious means of communications of any discrepancy, irregularity or claim of non-compliance with Customer instructions as set forth in the appropriate Application. Customer will be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against Bank and any correspondent bank in connection with any Credit unless Customer notifies Bank in accordance with the preceding sentence. As used in this Agreement, the term business day shall mean any day upon which Bank is open for the conduct of substantially all of Banks banking functions.
(b) In the event Bank notifies Customer of any discrepancy between any instruments or documents presented under any Credit and the requirements of such Credit, Customer will, within one (1)business day of Customers receipt of such notice (or such shorter interval as circumstances may require and Bank shall advise Customer), notify Bank by telecommunication or other expeditious means of communication as to Customers acceptance or non-acceptance thereof. Customer will be conclusively deemed to have waived any claim of improper honor or dishonor of any Credit, unless Customer notifies Bank in accordance with the preceding sentence.
4. Commercial Credits:
The provisions of this Section 4 apply only to commercial Credits:
(a) Customer will keep all property shipped in connection with any commercial Credit insured in amounts, against risks and with insurers satisfactory to Bank, assign the policies or certificates to Bank or make loss payable to Bank, at Banks option, and furnish Bank on request with evidence of compliance with the foregoing. If Bank at any time and in connection with any commercial Credit, deems such insurance inadequate, Bank may procure additional insurance at Customers expense.
(b) Customer will procure all licenses and comply with all formalities necessary for the import, export and shipping of any property in connection with any commercial Credit and shall comply with all applicable domestic and foreign laws, orders and regulations (including those relating to exchange); upon Banks request Customer shall promptly furnish Bank with certificates evidencing such compliance. Customer hereby certifies and warrants to Bank that transactions with respect to any property shipped in connection with any commercial Credit are not prohibited under any United States law, order or regulation and that any shipment covered by any Credit or any documents required thereunder shall fully conform to all existing United States laws, orders and regulations.
(c) If Bank, at its discretion, delivers to Customer all or part of the goods or documents referred to in or shipped in connection with any commercial Credit before full payment of all Obligations (as defined in Section 6 hereof) secured thereby, Customer will execute and deliver such security agreements and financing statements, and will carry and furnish evidence of such assurance, as Bank may request, and Customer will pay all required filing fees. Banks rights specified herein shall be in addition to Banks rights under any applicable law or other agreement.
(d) If Bank agrees to issue any commercial Credit permitting the direct consignment of goods to Customer or Customers agents, Customer agrees to hold any goods so received in trust for Bank readily identifiable and stored separately and intact under separate accounting as Banks property and to execute and deliver such security agreements as Bank deems appropriate until Customer has: (i) accepted or rejected the related documents; and (ii) made full payment of all indebtedness arising under such Credit.
3
(e) If Bank, in Banks discretion, and at the Customers request, delivers to Customer all or any part of the documents referred to in or goods shipped in connection with any commercial Credit prior to Banks acceptance or payment of the related draft or drafts, or, in the case of any undertaking by Bank to expedite the delivery of goods prior to the arrival of the pertinent documents, Customer is authorizing Bank to accept and pay such draft(s) notwithstanding any discrepancies that may arise in relation thereto.
(f) Except as written instructions expressly to the contrary have been received by Bank from Customer in any Application or prior to the issuing of any commercial Credit and incorporated in such commercial Credit, Customer agrees that (i) drafts under any commercial Credit may, at drawers option, be drawn without recourse, (ii) commercial Credit advice may, at Banks option, be sent either to the commercial Credit beneficiary or to a correspondent bank and commercial Credits may be designated as freely negotiable with the correspondent named; (iii) part shipments may be made under any commercial Credit and Bank or correspondent bank may honor the related draft or payment demand without inquiry, regardless of any apparent disproportion between the quantity shipped and the amount of the related draft or payment demand, and the total amount of the commercial Credit and total quantity to be shipped under the commercial Credit; (iv) Bank may accept or pay, as complying with the terms of, any commercial Credit, any drafts or other documents otherwise in order which may be signed or issued by the administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, successor, legal representatives or other party succeeding de facto or de jure to the powers, rights or privileges of the party who is authorized under the commercial Credit to draw or issue any drafts or other documents, and (v) Bank and any of Banks correspondents may (A) receive, and accept as a bill of lading or airbill under any commercial Credit any document issued or purporting to be issued by or on behalf of any carrier which acknowledges receipt of property for transportation, whatever the specific provisions of such document, (B) without limiting any other provisions of this Agreement, accept documents of any character which comply with the provisions, definitions, interpretations and practices contained in the International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits No. 600 (effective July 1, 2007) and subsequent revisions thereof which shall supersede inconsistent provisions of applicable law to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and (C) accept or pay any draft or payment demand dated on or before the expiration of any time limit expressed in any commercial Credit, regardless of when drawn and when or whether negotiated, provided the other required documents are dated prior to the expiration date of the commercial Credit.
5. Responsibilities and Limitations Thereon:
(a) Bank or its correspondent bank shall honor drafts which comply with the terms and conditions of the Credit and shall not be required to consult with Customer prior to doing so. Bank or correspondent bank, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether the beneficiarys presentation appears on its face to conform with the terms and conditions of the Credit.
(b) Customer agrees that neither Bank nor any correspondent bank shall be responsible for, and Customers obligation to pay or reimburse Bank shall not be affected by (i) acts or omissions of any other person, including, without limitation, any beneficiary or assignee of any Credit, and any correspondent bank, agent or sub-agent; (ii) the existence, character, nature, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of goods purporting to be represented by documents, or any difference of goods from that expressed in documents; (iii) the validity, sufficiency, genuineness or collectability of documents (including insurance) or instruments, or of any endorsements thereon; (iv) any irregularity in connection with shipment including, without limitation, any default or fraud by the shipper or others, the time, place, manner or order of shipment, non-shipment of goods or partial or incomplete shipments, failure to arrive or delay in arrival of goods or documents, or failure to give notice of shipment or arrival of goods or documents; (v) breach of contract or fraud between Customer and any Credit beneficiary or any other party or the use which may be made of any Credit or funds obtained thereunder by any Credit beneficiary or other party; (vi) consequences of compliance with laws, orders, regulations or customs in effect in places of negotiation or payment of any Credit; (vii) failure of drafts or other payment demands to bear reference or adequate reference to any Credit, failure of documents to accompany drafts at negotiation, failure of negotiating banks to comply with Banks directions, or failure of any party to surrender or take up any Credit, or failure of any party to note the amount of any draft or payment demand on the reverse side of any Credit, or forward documents apart from drafts as required by the terms of any Credit (each of which requirements Bank may waive even if included in any Credit); (viii) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, however sent and whether plain or in code or cipher, or errors in translation or interpretation of technical or other terms; or (ix) without limiting the foregoing, any act or omission of Bank not done or omitted in bad faith.
4
(c) Bank shall have no duty to inquire into: (I) the existence of any disputes or controversies between Customer and the beneficiary of any Credit or any other person, or (ii) the truth, accuracy or occurrence of any fact or event referred to in any certificate or other document presented under or in connection with any Credit. Banks sole obligation shall be limited to honoring requests for payment made under and in compliance with any Credit notwithstanding: (A) any assistance which Bank may have rendered in connection with the preparation of the wording of the Credit or any certificate or other documents required to be presented thereunder, or (B) any awareness or knowledge which Bank may have concerning any transaction giving rise to any Credit.
(d) If Customer requests the inclusion in any Credit of any provision for credit advances to the beneficiary, Bank may make in such Credit any provision in that respect which Bank deems appropriate, under which any bank entitled to negotiate drafts under the Credit, acting in its discretion in each instance and upon written request from the beneficiary, may make any one or more clean advances at any time on or prior to the date by which drafts and documents are to be negotiated under the Credit. The aggregate of such advances shall in no event be more than the amount specified in the related Application, and in no event shall any such advance exceed the amount remaining available under the Credit at the time of advance If the beneficiary fails to repay the advancing bank for any such advance, Customer shall on demand pay Bank the amount thereof as if such advance were evidenced by a draft or drafts under the Credit, together with interest on each such amount for the period that the same shall have been outstanding at the rate required by the advancing bank, unless limited by the Credit, otherwise at the rate referenced in Section 2 of this Agreement. It is understood that neither Bank nor any bank which makes any such advance shall be obligated to inquire into the use that may be made thereof by the beneficiary and that Bank and each such bank shall be without liability for any wrongful use that may be made by the beneficiary of any funds so advanced.
6. Security, Default:
(a) Customer hereby grants Bank a continuing security interest in and recognizes and admits Banks unqualified right to the possession and disposition of any and all property shipped under or pursuant to or in connection with any Commercial Credit or in any way relative thereto, and in and to all shipping documents, warehouse receipts, policies or certificates of insurance and other documents or instruments accompanying or relative to drafts and in and to the proceeds to each and all of the foregoing, all to be held by Bank subject to the terms of this Agreement as collateral security for the prompt and unconditional payment of any and every obligation and liability of Customer to Bank and Banks claims of every nature and description against Customer, whether or not represented by negotiable instruments or other writings, whether now existing or hereafter incurred, originally contracted with Bank and/or with another or others and now or hereafter owing to or acquired in any manner by Bank, whether contracted by Customer alone or jointly or severally with another or others, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, secured or not secured, matured or unmatured including, without limitation, all amounts owing to Bank from Customer under this Agreement (all of the foregoing are hereinafter called Obligations).
(b) In order to further secure the payment of such Obligations, Bank is hereby also granted a continuing security interest for the amount of all Obligations upon any and all property in which Customer has an interest, now or hereafter in Banks actual or constructive possession, or now or hereafter in transit to Bank or Banks correspondents or agents from or for Customer, whether for safekeeping, custody, pledge, transmission, collection or otherwise, including without limitation, investment property, and in all of Customers now existing or hereafter arising deposit accounts with Bank or Banks affiliates and credits with, and Customers claims against Bank at any time. In addition to all other rights and remedies, Bank shall have the rights of a secured party under the UCC. Failure of Bank to take necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any property in Banks possession shall not be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.
5
(c) The property referred to in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 6, and any other property in which Bank may now or hereafter be granted a security interest or which may be deposited with Bank or Banks agents to secure Obligations, are hereinafter collectively called Collateral. Without notice to or further assent by Customer, the liability of any party for or upon Obligations or Collateral may from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, modified, compromised or settled for cash, credit or otherwise by Bank, upon any terms and conditions Bank may deem advisable, and Bank may discharge or release said other person(s) from such liabilities and/or exchange, sell or surrender any of the Collateral from time to time. Bank shall not be liable for any failure to collect or demand payment of or to protest or give any notice of non-payment respecting the Collateral or any part thereof, or for any delay in so doing. Bank shall not be required to keep the Collateral identifiable or otherwise to take any action with respect thereto. Without notice Bank may exercise any of Customers rights with respect to Collateral and may, at any time or times, before or after maturity of any Obligations, transfer into the name of Bank or Banks nominee all or any part of the Collateral. Bank may endorse Customers name or names on all notes, checks, drafts, bills of exchange, money orders or commercial paper included in Collateral or representing the proceeds thereof.
(d) If Customer shall fail to perform any agreement herein contained or contained in any security agreement or other agreement or application for issuance of a Credit delivered by Customer to Bank, or if Customer defaults in the punctual payment of any sum payable upon Obligations or Collateral, or upon the happening with respect to Customer of any of the following: the commencement of any proceeding suit or action for reorganization, dissolution or liquidation; suspension or liquidation of Customers usual business; insolvency; the filing of a petition under any of the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act or amendments thereto; dissolution or death; application for, or appointment of, a conservator, rehabilitator or receiver for any of Customer or Customers property in any jurisdiction; issuance of any injunction or an order of attachment; the calling of a meeting of creditors; appointment of a committee of creditors or liquidating agent; offering a composition or extension to creditors; assignment for benefit of creditors; making or sending notice of an intended bulk transfer; failure, after demand, to furnish any financial information or to permit the inspection of books or records of account; the making of any misrepresentation to Bank for the purpose of obtaining credit or an extension of credit; or if the condition or affairs of Customer shall so change, as, in Banks opinion, shall impair Banks security interest or increase Banks credit risk, or if Bank otherwise deems itself insecure then in any of those events all of the said Obligations, although not yet due, shall, without notice or demand, forthwith become and be immediately due and payable at Banks option, notwithstanding any time, credit or grace period otherwise allowed under any of said Obligations or under any instrument evidencing the same.
(e) Upon the happening of any of the events set forth in subsection (d) hereof and at any time thereafter, Bank shall have, in addition to all other rights and remedies, the remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code then in effect in the State of Massachusetts. Upon Banks request, Customer shall assemble the Collateral and make the same available to Bank at a place to be designated by Bank which is reasonably convenient to Bank and Customer. Bank will give Customer at least five (5) days notice of the time and place of any public sale of any of the Collateral, or of the time after which any private sale or any other intended disposition thereof is to be made. No such notice need to be given with respect to Collateral which is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is a type customarily sold on a recognized market. Any sale or other disposition of Collateral permitted hereunder may be made without any warranties by Bank, may be made by an auctioneer or by any other means (at Banks discretion), may be made without any registration of securities, and all such sales or dispositions will be deemed to be commercially reasonable. Bank may apply the net proceeds of any sale, lease or other disposition of Collateral, after deducting all costs and expenses of every kind incurred therein or incidental to the retaking, holding, preparing for sale, selling, leasing or the like of the Collateral or in any way relating to Customers rights thereunder (including Legal Expenses) to the payment, in whole or in part, in such order as Bank. may elect, of one or more of said Obligations, whether due or not due, absolute or contingent, making proper rebate for interest or discount on items not then due, and only after so applying such proceeds and after the payment by Bank of any other amounts required by any existing or future provision of law (including Section 9-504(1)(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction in which any of the Collateral may at the time be located) need Bank account for the surplus, if any. Customer shall remain liable to Bank for the payment of any deficiency, with interest.
6
(f) Customer authorizes Bank to file financing statements at any time with respect to any Collateral. At any time on Banks request, Customer will sign financing statements, security agreements or other agreements with respect to any Collateral, or upon Customers failure to do so Customer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank (and its duly authorized officers) as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in fact to execute the aforesaid documents on its behalf or to take any action desirable to Bank, in its discretion, to effect, protect, perfect, or preserve Banks lien or mortgage interest on the Collateral and any liquidation thereof provided for herein, and any expense borne by the Bank in exercising such power of attorney shall be due on demand from Customer and secured by the Collateral. Banks address for purposes of demanding termination of security interests created hereby shall be:
TD Bank, NA
ATTN: Collateral Department
2059 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003.
Customer agrees to pay all filing fees and reimburse Bank for all costs and expenses of any kind incurred in any way in connection with the Collateral.
(g) Bank may assign or transfer all or any part of said Obligations and may transfer, as security therefore, all or any part of the Collateral and thereafter Bank shall be fully discharged from all liability and responsibility with respect to the Collateral so transferred and the transferee shall be vested with all of Banks powers and rights hereunder with respect to such Collateral, but with respect to any Collateral not so transferred, Bank shall retain all rights and powers hereby given.
7. Miscellaneous:
(a) Customer shall furnish Bank with a list of persons authorized to act for Customer in connection with this Agreement, any Application or any Credit issued by Bank. Bank shall be authorized and entitled to rely upon any written or electronically-transmitted Application or other communication or any message received or purporting to be received from one of such persons or any other person reasonably believed by Bank to be duly authorized to act for Customer hereunder.
(b) Customer will not assign any of Customers rights and obligations hereunder unless Banks prior consent is obtained. Customer acknowledges and agrees that Bank may freely assign or delegate any of Banks rights and duties hereunder or in connection with any Credit issued by Bank to any entity which: (i) is controlled by Bank; or (ii) under common control with Bank; or (iii) controls Bank.
(c) Customer further covenants and agrees that none of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are intended to and shall not constitute a deposit within the meaning of 12 U.S.C sS 1813(1) and in the event of Banks failure to fulfill Banks obligations in whole or in part, with respect to a draw on any Credit, neither Customer nor Customers successors or assigns will make any claim against the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation with respect thereto.
(d) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as to all Credits which Bank may issue for Customers account or on Customers behalf. This Agreement is not a commitment to issue or amend any one or more Credits, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Bank shall be entitled to refuse to issue or amend any Credits without cause and in Banks complete discretion.
(e) Bank may request another bank to issue the Credit on Customers behalf. Such arrangement shall be deemed independent of the underlying transaction for which the Credit is obtained. Customer acknowledges and agrees that such a Credit may be subject to foreign laws, customs and regulations which may be in force in any place of negotiation or payment thereof and Customer agrees that Customers obligations to Bank under this Agreement shall not be excused or modified as a result of any such laws, customs or regulations or the effect of such laws, customs or regulations on such Credit.
7
(f) If any provision of these terms and conditions is, or becomes, prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such prohibition or unenforceability shall not invalidate, affect or impair any of the remaining provisions hereof or render unenforceable the provision in any other jurisdiction.
(g) No delay on Banks part or on the part of any assignee in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any power or right, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right hereunder preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. The rights and remedies herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights or remedies which Bank or Banks assigns may otherwise have or would have under applicable law.
(h) The word Customer is used herein for convenience of reference only and shall be deemed to refer to the undersigned and to each of them if more than one, regardless of number, each of which shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder and all provisions hereof regarding Customers liabilities or property and security shall apply to any liability or any security or property of Customer. If this Agreement is signed by a partnership, the members thereof shall be individually bound and liable hereunder.
(i) The word Bank is intended to mean TD Bank, N.A. and/or any of its affiliates as circumstances warrant their participation in a transaction contemplated by this Agreement. Affiliates shall be deemed to mean any entities owned by Bank or under common ownership with Bank.
(j) Except and to the extent inconsistent with the specific provisions of this Agreement each Credit hereunder and all transactions in connection therewith shall be interpreted, construed and enforced according to: (i) the International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits No. 600 (effective July 1, 2007) or the International Standby Practices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ISP 98) Publication No. 590 and subsequent revisions thereof which shall supersede inconsistent provisions of applicable law to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, as applicable to each Credit; and (ii) the laws of the State of Massachusetts, including, without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code. Customer irrevocably submits in any legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or any Application or any Credit issued hereunder to the non-exclusive in personam jurisdiction of any court sitting in the State of Massachusetts and agrees to suit being brought in any such court and waives any objection to the venue of any proceeding in any such court. Customer further consents to being joined in any legal proceeding brought against Bank concerning any Credit issued for Customers account and accept the jurisdiction and venue of any court where such proceeding is instituted. Whenever there shall be a conflict between the regulations of the International Chamber of Commerce regulations and the laws of the State of Massachusetts the International Chamber of Commerce regulations shall prevail.
(k) Bank and Customer agree that neither of them nor any permitted assignee or successor shall (i) seek a jury trial in any lawsuit, proceeding, counterclaim or action arising under or relating to this Agreement, any Credit, Application or any related instruments, or the dealings or the relationship between or among any of them, or (ii) seek to consolidate any such action with any other action in which a jury trial cannot be or has not been waived. Customer has had an opportunity to discuss the provisions of this paragraph fully with counsel of Customers choosing, and these provisions shall be subject to no exceptions. Neither the Bank nor the Customer has agreed with or represented to the other that the provisions of this paragraph will not be fully enforced in all instances.
(l) The Customer hereby (0 acknowledges that any transaction contemplated by this Agreement is a commercial transaction and (ii) waives all rights to a judicial hearing of any kind prior to the exercise by the Bank of its rights to possession of the Collateral without judicial process or of its rights to replevy, attach or levy upon the Collateral without prior notice or hearing. Customer acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel of its choice with respect to the provisions of this Section 7 and of this Agreement generally.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement this 15th day of August, 2013.
TD BANK, N.A. | BORROWER: Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation | |||||
By: | /s/ Maria Goncalves | By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||
Maria Goncalves | Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||
Its: | Duly Authorized Representative | Its: | EVP, CFO and Treasurer | |||
Address: 2100 Roosevelt Avenue Springfield, Massachusetts 01102 | ||||||
TIN #87-0543688 | ||||||
BORROWER: Smith & Wesson Corp. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |||||
Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||||||
Its: | EVP, CFO and Treasurer | |||||
Address: 2100 Roosevelt Avenue Springfield, Massachusetts 01102 | ||||||
TIN #13-3386737 |
9
TD BANK, N.A.
1441 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103
August 15, 2013
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
and its Subsidiaries
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01102
Re: | Master Letter of Credit Agreement |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Master Letter of Credit Agreement of even date herewith between TD Bank, N.A. (the Bank) and you on behalf of your subsidiaries (the Customer) (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the Letter of Credit Agreement).
Reference is further made to that to that certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith among the Customer and its subsidiaries, TD Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders from time to time party thereto (the Loan Agreement).
This letter agreement modifies and amends the Letter of Credit Agreement and terms defined therein shall have the same meanings herein.
In consideration of various financial accommodations made available by the Bank to the Customer and its Subsidiaries, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Notwithstanding anything to the Section 2(a)(iii) of the Letter of Credit Agreement to the contrary, the fee for each Credit issued by Bank shall be .75% per annum; provided, however, in the event of a default under the Letter Credit Agreement or Default under and as defined in the Loan Agreement, such fee shall be increased to be 2.00% per annum.
2. Notwithstanding anything in Section 2(e) of the Letter of Credit Agreement to the contrary, if any amounts payable to Bank pursuant to Section 2 of the Letter of Credit Agreement are not paid when due, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at the Base Rate (under and as defined in the Loan Agreement), plus 1.50% per annum (i.e., Pricing Level 1 of the Applicable Rate under and as defined in the Loan Agreement), plus 2.00% per annum (i.e., the increase in the interest rate described in the Default Rate under and as defined in the Loan Agreement).
3. Notwithstanding anything in the Letter of Credit Agreement, including, without limitation Section 6 to the contrary, the obligations of Customer under the Letter of Credit Agreement are unsecured. The Bank acknowledges and agrees that any grant of security interest by Customer in favor of the Bank described in the Letter of Credit Agreement is null and void and of no force and effect.
4. Notwithstanding anything in the Letter of Credit Agreement to the contrary, in addition to all other rights and remedies of the Bank under the Letter of Credit Agreement, in the event any Credit is outstanding at the time that Customer prepays, or is required, to repay, the Obligations (as defined in the Loan Agreement) or the Commitments (as defined in the Loan Agreement) are terminated, the Customer shall pledge to and deposit with or deliver to Bank as collateral for all liabilities and indebtedness in respect of the Credits, (a) cash or deposit account balances or (b) backstop letters of credit entered into on terms, from issuers and in an amounts satisfactory to the Bank.
Kindly acknowledge your agreement with respect to the foregoing and your acceptance of the terms of this letter agreement by returning to TD Bank, N.A. an executed counterpart hereof as soon as possible.
Sincerely, | ||
TD BANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Maria Goncalves | |
Name: Maria Goncalves | ||
Title: Regional Vice President |
Agreed and Accepted by:
SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION
By: | /s/ Jeffrey D. Buchanan | |
Name: Jeffrey D. Buchanan | ||
Title: EVP, CFO and Treasurer |
(Signature Page to Letter Agreement re Master Letter of Credit Agreement)
Exhibit 99.1
Contact: Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(413) 747-3304
lsharp@smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation
Completes $75 Million Unsecured Credit Facility
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., August 19, 2013 Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: SWHC), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, today announced that it has successfully completed a new $75 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the Credit Facility) that is expandable under an accordion feature that allows, in certain circumstances, for the company to increase the size of the Credit Facility in $25 million increments up to a maximum loan of $175 million. The new Credit Facility replaces the companys existing secured $55 million credit facility that was set to expire in December 2014. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Jeffrey D. Buchanan, Smith & Wesson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said, The fact that the new Credit Facility is expandable and unsecured reflects a vote of confidence in the direction and strategies of our company by TD Bank and the other banking participants. This is the first time in the companys history that we have achieved credit agreement terms comparable to what investment grade companies receive in the current market. This represents another step in our commitment to developing flexibility within our capital structure.
Compared with the prior credit facility, the new Credit Facility provides increased borrowing capacity and more favorable terms and conditions, including a maturity date approximately two years beyond the expiration of the prior credit facility, improved financial covenants, and a reduction of approximately 75 basis points on average across the pricing grid. Loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the companys option, at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin, or the prime lending rate, plus an applicable margin, subject to adjustment based upon the companys consolidated leverage ratio. Based on current rates, should the company borrow against the credit facility, the interest rate would be approximately 1.70% for LIBOR rate loans and 3.75% for prime rate loans.
The Revolver was arranged by TD Securities (USA) LLC as sole lead arranger and bookrunnner and TD Bank, N.A. as administrative agent. TD Bank, BB&T and Peoples United Bank served as participants in the Credit Facility.
Page 1 of 2
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products, and training to the global military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. The companys brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P® and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, log on to www.smith-wesson.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases such as anticipates, intends, expects, believes and will, and similar words and phrases. Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectation that the proceeds of the new Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, our belief that the fact that the new Credit Facility is expandable and unsecured reflects a vote of confidence in the direction and strategies of our company by TD Bank and the other banking participants, our belief that this is the first time in the companys history that we have achieved credit agreement terms comparable to what investment grade companies receive in the current market, and our belief that this represents another step in our commitment to developing flexibility within our capital structure. We caution that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such forward-looking statements. Additional information about the risk factors to which we are exposed and other factors that may adversely affect these forward-looking statements is contained in our reports and filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of future results. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date of this press release except as otherwise required by law.
Page 2 of 2
P&45WJA0.V=&:\*MD8O>XJ;);8>T6M'X!+$*J^E449:X0LP'
MN.NS?*EJR42TA"L+`:D$B"$1^<"*`9\3^UPUMFK*V>YM[GQ[5#*C`S4\8H:U+,P0@?B34
MG;4BP*#N
7!E````
M`$YO;F4````)=&]P3W5T '!A8VME="!B96=I;CTB[[N_(B!I
M9#TB5S5-,$UP0V5H:4AZ0!YJ'I0>OA[I'Q,?/A]I'Y0?OQ_J
M(!4@02!L()@@Q"#P(1PA2"%U(:$ASB'[(BS7WS"_OK9R/B^ADK]GB"G^7^?1[]Z$)_63EXBFO\`=B/8Y_\`+/ZE+_U7O7__TC6_,7_LK[Y0?^)JW7_UKQ_O"GG+_E<.
M:?\`GMD_R=)SS_TLY?\"]+3^7ZI;YL?'$*"3_?/--8"YLFPMW.Q
M_P!954D_X#VM]OO^5WY;_P":S?\`5J3HQ]I`3[F\F4_Y27_ZL2];%W9".?YA
M7Q2VG_`&7OY,^JQMZ-P=+AN?IZ3*M_Z:A_7WD;N8/^N)RJ?+]WWO\`Q^VZ
MS'WH'_7?Y%-,?NC