-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KqiM7YeeB5xWL/mKX/j7e6k+P2FwJKRwWOj0kyAHDHLdAw2vLwfNaow0U3ugnLVe nDTPLNWP3iD4IowlHaaTRQ== 0001193125-10-131342.txt : 20100602 0001193125-10-131342.hdr.sgml : 20100602 20100602161750 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-131342 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100528 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in Control of Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20100602 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100602 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001323891 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLIES & NEW PARTS [5013] IRS NUMBER: 593796143 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-124878 FILM NUMBER: 10873049 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1220 HERBERT WAYNE COURT STREET 2: SUITE 150 CITY: HUNTERSVILLE STATE: NC ZIP: 28078 BUSINESS PHONE: 704-632-7110 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1220 HERBERT WAYNE COURT STREET 2: SUITE 150 CITY: HUNTERSVILLE STATE: NC ZIP: 28078 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

 

 

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 28, 2010

 

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

Commission File Number: 333-124878

I.R.S. Employer Identification Number: 59-3796143

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150 (28078)

P.O. Box 3145

Huntersville, North Carolina 28070-3145

Telephone: (704) 992-2000

(Address of principal executive offices and telephone number)

 

 

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:

 

¨ 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))

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On May 28, 2010, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 20, 2010 (as amended and supplemented, the “Agreement”), among American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Accelerate Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Buyer”), Accelerate Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer (“Merger Sub”), and Investcorp International, Inc., solely in its capacity as a representative of the stockholders, optionholders and warrantholders of the Company (the “Stockholders Representative”), Merger Sub merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer. The Buyer is controlled by affiliates of TPG Capital, L.P. (“TPG”).

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, American Tire Distributors, Inc. (“ATD”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, executed the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended ABL”). The Borrowers to the Amended ABL are ATD and certain of its subsidiaries. The Amended ABL provides for borrowings of up to $450.0 million, subject to borrowing base availability. The Amended ABL matures in November 2014.

The Company and ATD also entered into a Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010, with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, related to $250.0 million of 9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, and a Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010, with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, related to $200.0 million of 11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018.

Also in connection with the Merger, the indentures (the “Indentures”) relating to the Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012 issued by ATD, the 10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 issued by ATD and the 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013 issued by the Company (collectively, the “Existing Notes”) were amended and supplemented to eliminate most of the restrictive covenants and certain of the events of default and to modify the covenant regarding consolidations, merger and sales of assets contained in such Indentures.

 

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, all of the Existing Notes were repurchased and cancelled and accordingly, the obligations of ATD and the Company under the Indentures relating to the Existing Notes have terminated.

 

Item 5.01 Change in Control of Registrant.

As a result of the Merger, a change in control of the Company occurred as the Company merged with and into Merger Sub with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and the Company becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer. The disclosure under the Introductory Note is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

In connection with the Merger, the following directors of the Company resigned as of May 28, 2010: Richard P. Johnson, Joseph P. Donlan, Donald Hardie, James Hardymon, Christopher Laws, D. Randolph Peeler and David Tayeh. As of the effective time of the Merger, the board of directors of the Company consists of the following individuals: William E. Berry, David L. Dyckman and J. Michael Gaither.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   4.1     Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010
  4.2     Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010


 

  4.3     Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture, dated as of March 31, 2005, relating to the Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012
  4.4     Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture, dated as of March 31, 2005, relating to the 10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2013
  4.5     Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture, dated as of March 31, 2005, relating to the 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013
  10.1     Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010


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.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS

HOLDINGS, INC.

By:

 

/S/    DAVID L. DYCKMAN        

  David L. Dyckman
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 2, 2010

EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm SENIOR NOTES INDENTURE, DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 4.1

SENIOR SECURED NOTES INDENTURE

Dated as of May 28, 2010

Among

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.,

as a Guarantor,

AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.,

as a Subsidiary Guarantor,

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

9.750% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2017

Reference is made to the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010, among Bank of America, N.A., as ABL Agent for the ABL Secured Parties referred to therein; The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Notes Collateral Agent; American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc.; American Tire Distributors, Inc.; Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc.; and the other Subsidiaries of American Tire Distributors, Inc. named therein (the “Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement”). Each holder of the Notes, by its acceptance of the Notes (a) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, (b) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement and (c) authorizes and instructs the Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of each holder of Notes to enter into the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement as Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of such holder of Notes. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the ABL Lenders to extend credit to the Issuer and the Guarantors and such ABL Lenders are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

(b)

   12.03

(c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.06

(b)(1)

   13.04

(b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

(c)

   7.06; 12.02

(d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 4.04

(b)

   13.02

(c)(1)

   12.04

(c)(2)

   12.04

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   13.04; 13.05

(e)

   12.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

(b)

   7.05

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   7.07

(e)

   6.14

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   6.07

(c)

   1.05

317(a)(1)

   6.08

(a)(2)

   6.12

(b)

   N.A.

318(a)

   12.01

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   12.01

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.


Table of Contents

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   1

Section 1.01

  

Definitions

   1

Section 1.02

  

Other Definitions

   38

Section 1.03

  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

   39

Section 1.04

  

Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

   39

Section 1.05

  

Acts of Holders

   40

ARTICLE 2 THE SECURED NOTES

   41

Section 2.01

  

Form and Dating; Terms

   41

Section 2.02

  

Execution and Authentication

   42

Section 2.03

  

Registrar and Paying Agent

   43

Section 2.04

  

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

   43

Section 2.05

  

Holder Lists

   44

Section 2.06

  

Transfer and Exchange

   44

Section 2.07

  

Replacement Note

   54

Section 2.08

  

Outstanding Notes

   55

Section 2.09

  

Treasury Notes

   55

Section 2.10

  

Temporary Notes

   55

Section 2.11

  

Cancellation

   55

Section 2.12

  

Defaulted Interest

   56

Section 2.13

  

CUSIP/ISIN Numbers

   56

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION

   56

Section 3.01

  

Notices to Trustee

   56

Section 3.02

  

Selection of Notes to be Redeemed

   57

Section 3.03

  

Notice of Redemption

   57

Section 3.04

  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

   58

Section 3.05

  

Deposit of Redemption Price

   58

Section 3.06

  

Notes Redeemed in Part

   58

Section 3.07

  

Optional Redemption

   59

Section 3.08

  

Mandatory Redemption

   59

Section 3.09

  

Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds

   60

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

   61

Section 4.01

  

Payment of Notes

   61

Section 4.02

  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

   62

Section 4.03

  

Reports and Other Information

   62

Section 4.04

  

Compliance Certificate

   63

Section 4.05

  

Taxes

   64

Section 4.06

  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

   64

Section 4.07

  

Limitation on Restricted Payments

   64

Section 4.08

  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

   72

Section 4.09

  

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

   74

Section 4.10

  

Asset Sales

   80

Section 4.11

  

Transactions with Affiliates

   83

Section 4.12

  

Liens

   85

Section 4.13

  

Company Existence

   86

Section 4.14

  

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

   86

Section 4.15

  

Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

   88

Section 4.16

  

Impairment of Security Interests; Further Assurances

   88

Section 4.17

  

After-Acquired Property

   89


Section 4.18

  

Insurance

   89

Section 4.19

  

Payment for Consent

   89

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

   89

Section 5.01

  

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

   89

Section 5.02

  

Successor Person Substituted

   91

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   92

Section 6.01

  

Events of Default

   92

Section 6.02

  

Acceleration

   94

Section 6.03

  

Other Remedies

   95

Section 6.04

  

Waiver of Past Defaults

   95

Section 6.05

  

Control by Majority

   95

Section 6.06

  

Limitation on Suits

   95

Section 6.07

  

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

   95

Section 6.08

  

Collection Suit by Trustee

   96

Section 6.09

  

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

   96

Section 6.10

  

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

   96

Section 6.11

  

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

   96

Section 6.12

  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

   96

Section 6.13

  

Priorities

   97

Section 6.14

  

Undertaking for Costs

   97

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

   97

Section 7.01

  

Duties of Trustee

   97

Section 7.02

  

Rights of Trustee

   98

Section 7.03

  

Individual Rights of Trustee

   99

Section 7.04

  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

   99

Section 7.05

  

Notice of Defaults

   100

Section 7.06

  

Reports by Trustee to Holders

   100

Section 7.07

  

Compensation and Indemnity

   100

Section 7.08

  

Replacement of Trustee

   101

Section 7.09

  

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc

   101

Section 7.10

  

Eligibility; Disqualification

   102

Section 7.11

  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer

   102

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

   102

Section 8.01

  

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   102

Section 8.02

  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

   102

Section 8.03

  

Covenant Defeasance

   103

Section 8.04

  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

   103

Section 8.05

  

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions

   104

Section 8.06

  

Repayment to Issuer

   105

Section 8.07

  

Reinstatement

   105

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

   105

Section 9.01

  

Without Consent of Holders

   105

Section 9.02

  

With Consent of Holders

   106

Section 9.03

  

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

   108

Section 9.04

  

Revocation and Effect of Consents

   108

Section 9.05

  

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

   108

Section 9.06

  

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc

   108

ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES

   109

Section 10.01

  

Guarantee

   109

Section 10.02

  

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

   110


Section 10.03

  

Execution and Delivery

   111

Section 10.04

  

Subrogation

   111

Section 10.05

  

Benefits Acknowledged

   111

Section 10.06

  

Release of Guarantees by Subsidiary Guarantors

   111

Section 10.07

  

Release of Guarantee by Holdings

   112

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   112

Section 11.01

  

Satisfaction and Discharge

   112

Section 11.02

  

Application of Trust Money

   113

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

   113

Section 12.01

  

Trust Indenture Act Controls

   113

Section 12.02

  

Notices

   114

Section 12.03

  

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

   114

Section 12.04

  

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

   114

Section 12.05

  

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

   115

Section 12.06

  

Rules by Trustee and Agents

   115

Section 12.07

  

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

   115

Section 12.08

  

Governing Law

   115

Section 12.09

  

Waiver of Jury Trial

   115

Section 12.10

  

Force Majeure

   115

Section 12.11

  

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

   116

Section 12.12

  

Successors

   116

Section 12.13

  

Severability

   116

Section 12.14

  

Counterpart Originals

   116

Section 12.15

  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc

   116

Section 12.16

  

Qualification of Indenture

   116

ARTICLE 13 COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS

   116

Section 13.01

  

Collateral and Collateral Documents

   116

Section 13.02

  

Recordings and Opinions

   118

Section 13.03

  

Release of Collateral

   118

Section 13.04

  

Permitted Releases Not To Impair Lien; Trust Indenture Act Requirements

   120

Section 13.05

  

Certificates of the Trustee

   120

Section 13.06

  

Suits To Protect the Collateral

   120

Section 13.07

  

Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Collateral Documents

   121

Section 13.08

  

Purchaser Protected

   121

Section 13.09

  

Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee

   121

Section 13.10

  

Release Upon Termination of the Issuer’s Obligations

   121

Section 13.11

  

Notes Collateral Agent

   122

Section 13.12

  

Designations

   124

Section 13.13

  

Additional Collateral

   124

 

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A

 

Form of Senior Secured Note

Exhibit B

 

Form of Certificate of Transfer

Exhibit C

 

Form of Certificate of Exchange

Exhibit D

 

Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

Exhibit E

 

Form of Intercompany Subordinated Note

Exhibit F

 

Form of Mortgage


SECURED NOTES INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2010, among American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), as a Guarantor (as defined herein), Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., a California corporation (“Am-Pac”), as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined herein), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer (as defined herein) has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Issuer, Holdings and Am-Pac have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein);

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ABL Agent” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as “Agent” under the ABL Facility, and any successor thereto in such capacity.

ABL Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to “Collateral” in the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

ABL Facility” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement amended and restated on the Issue Date by and among Holdings, the Issuer, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder, the ABL Agent and the other agents party thereto, including any related notes, collateral documents, letters of credit and guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any appendices, exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing (as the same may be in effect from time to time), and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof (whether with the original agents and lenders or other agents or lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original credit agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise) and any indenture, guarantees, credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, exchange or refinance any part of the loans, notes, guarantees, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 of this Indenture).

 

- 1 -


ABL Lenders Debt” means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the ABL Facility, (ii) any Indebtedness which has a senior priority security interest relative to the Notes in the ABL Collateral, (iii) all obligations with respect to such Indebtedness and any Hedging Obligations entered into with any agent, arranger or lender (or their affiliates) under the ABL Facility (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Hedging Obligations are provided or were entered into) and (iv) all Bank Products entered into with any agent, arranger or lender (or their affiliates) under the ABL Facility (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products are provided or were entered into).

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person,

(a) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

(b) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Acquisition” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including but not limited to the merger of Accelerate Acquisition Corp. with Holdings.

Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes” means any additional Notes issued under this Indenture (other than the Initial Notes, or any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes) having the same terms in all respects as the Initial Notes except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance. Additional Notes and Initial Notes shall be part of the same class for all purposes of this Indenture.

Additional Parity Debt” means the Additional Notes and any additional Secured Indebtedness that is ranked pari passu with the Notes and is permitted to be incurred pursuant to the terms of this Indenture; provided that (i) the representative of such Additional Parity Debt executes a joinder agreement to the Collateral Agency Agreement and, if applicable, to the other Collateral Documents, in each case in the form attached thereto, agreeing to be bound thereby and (ii) the Issuer has designated such Indebtedness as “Additional Parity Debt” thereunder.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

After-Acquired Property” means any and all assets or property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired after the Issue Date, including any property or assets acquired by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor from another Subsidiary Guarantor, which in each case constitutes Collateral or would have constituted Collateral had such assets and property been owned by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Issue Date.

 

- 2 -


Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering the Notes and that such participants have received the Letter of Transmittal and agree to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Issuer may enforce such agreement against such participants.

Am-Pac” as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Note at June 1, 2013 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(b) hereof, plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through June 1, 2013 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Secured Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale” means:

(a) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction), of property or assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(b) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions; in each case, other than:

(i) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described under Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;

(iii) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof, including the making of any Permitted Investment;

(iv) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $10.0 million;

 

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(v) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(vi) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;

(vii) the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ix) foreclosures, condemnation, expropriation or any similar action with respect to assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;

(x) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets (other than royalties or other revenues (except accounts receivable)) or related assets in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xi) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture;

(xii) the sale or discount of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable;

(xiii) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business, other than the licensing of intellectual property on a long-term basis;

(xiv) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

(xv) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

(xvi) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(xvii) the abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer are not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(xviii) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted by the covenant described under Section 4.09; and

(xix) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law.

Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.

 

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Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of:

(a) 85% of the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(b) 70% of the aggregate book value of all inventory owned by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” means:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(a) United States dollars;

(b) (i) Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or

(ii) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(c) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(d) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(e) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c), (d) and (h) entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

(f) commercial paper rated at least “P-2” by Moody’s or at least “A-2” by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(g) marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least “P-2 or “A-2” from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);

(h) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(i) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(j) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated “AAA-” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “Aaa3” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency); and

(k) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (j) above.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (h) and clauses (j) and (k) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (a) through (k) and in this paragraph.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Transactions):

(a) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder; or

(b) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50.0% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme and its successors.

Collateral” means the Notes Collateral and the ABL Collateral.

Collateral Agency Agreement” means the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, each Guarantor, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Notes Collateral Agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, and as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, collateral assignments, deeds of trust and all other pledges, agreements, financing statements, patent, trademark or copyright filings, mortgages or other filings or documents that create or purport to create a Lien in the Collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent and/or the Trustee (for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes) and the Intercreditor Agreements, in each case as they may be amended from time to time, and any instruments of assignment, control agreements, lockbox letters or other instruments or agreements executed pursuant to the foregoing.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense of such Person, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and Capitalized Software Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) consolidated interest expense in respect of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (i) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (iii) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (iv) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (v) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (t) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in connection with the Transactions or any acquisition, (u) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (v) any Additional Interest and any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations, (w) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and discounted liabilities, (x) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees, (y) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Facility and (z) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities); plus

(b) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(c) interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication,

(a) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (effected either through cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive application, in each case, in accordance with GAAP) and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded;

(b) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments (including any disposal of abandoned or discontinued operations) or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business as determined in good faith by the Issuer shall be excluded;

(c) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into Cash Equivalents) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and the net losses of any such Person shall only be included to the extent funded with cash from the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(d) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

(e) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue, debt line items and other noncash charges in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(f) any net after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (i) Indebtedness, (ii) Hedging Obligations or (iii) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

(g) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

(h) any non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs shall be excluded, and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration, or payout of Equity Interests by management of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with the Transactions, shall be excluded;

(i) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes and the ABL Facility), issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes and the ABL Facility) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful, shall be excluded;

(j) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Issue Date that are so required to be established as a result of the Transactions (or within twelve months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition) in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded;

 

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(k) any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment, acquisition or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier (without any right of appeal thereof) within 180 days and (ii) in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

(l) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount shall in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

(m) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification 815 shall be excluded;

(n) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation and transaction gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other monetary assets and liabilities shall be excluded; and

(o) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks (including government program rebates) shall be excluded.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding for the avoidance of doubt all undrawn amounts under revolving credit facilities and letters of credit and all obligations under Qualified

 

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Securitization Facilities and all Hedging Obligations) and (b) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer. The U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,

(a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;

(b) to advance or supply funds

(i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or

(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any Investor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Issuer and/or other companies.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is 10161 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256, Attention: American Tire Trustee, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the ABL Facility, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages,

 

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guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes, each in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A except that such Note shall not bear the Secured Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Secured Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption or repurchase of or collection or payment on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer or the applicable parent company thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates (excluding TPG Capital, L.P. (but not excluding any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant)) or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Issuer or a

 

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Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the board of directors of the Issuer (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period

(a) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than clauses (ix) and (xii)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, franchise, excise and similar taxes, and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a) through (n) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”; plus

(ii) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains with respect to such obligations (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities and (z) amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (a)(t) through (z) in the definition thereof); plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iv) the amount of any restructuring charges, accruals or reserves; plus

(v) any other non-cash charges, including (A) any write offs or write downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, (B) equity-based awards compensation expense, (C) losses on sales, disposals or abandonment of, or any impairment charges or asset write-down or write-off related to, intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities and (D) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(vi) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary; plus

(vii) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination and transaction fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Management Fee Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof; plus

(viii) the amount of extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual losses (including all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses, Transaction Expenses, integration costs, transition costs, pre-opening,

 

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opening, consolidation and closing costs for facilities, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, costs or accruals or reserves incurred in connection with acquisitions after the Issue Date, other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design and implementation costs), restructuring costs (including those incurred in connection with cost-saving pursuant to clause (ix) below and the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) and curtailments or modifications to pension and postretirement employee benefit plans; plus

(ix) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings and synergies projected by the Issuer in good faith to result from actions either taken or expected to be taken within 12 months after the end of such period (which cost savings and synergies shall be subject only to certification by management of the Issuer and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions (it is understood and agreed that “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken or expected to be taken, provided that some portion of such benefit is expected to be realized within 12 months of taking such action) (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma cost savings adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”); plus

(x) the amount of loss on sale of receivables, Securitization Assets and related assets to any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility; plus

(xi) any costs or expense incurred by Holdings, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus

(xii) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(xiii) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations.

(b) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period; plus

(ii) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period unless such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period; plus

(iii) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations; plus

(iv) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains (less all fees and expenses relating thereto); and

 

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(c) increased or decreased (without duplication) by, as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 460, Guarantees.

EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

(a) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(b) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(c) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” means an Exchange Offer Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Notes” means the Notes of the Issuer issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

Excluded Assets” means:

(a) any property or assets owned by any Foreign Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary,

(b) Excluded Contracts;

(c) Excluded Equipment;

(d) Excluded Capital Stock;

(e) any interest in fee-owned real property of the Issuer and the Guarantors if the greater of its cost and book value is less than $2.5 million;

(f) any interest in leased real property of the Issuer and the Guarantors;

(g) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title;

 

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(h) any intellectual property, including any United States intent-to-use trademark applications, in relation to which any applicable law or regulation, or any agreement with a domain name registrar or any other person entered into by the Issuer or a Guarantor in the ordinary course of business and existing on the date hereof, prohibits the creation of a security interest therein or would otherwise invalidate the Issuer or such Guarantor’s right, title or interest therein;

(i) any property with respect to which the Notes Collateral Agent and the Issuer reasonably agree that the costs or other consequences (including material adverse tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Issuer) of granting or perfecting a security interest in is excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the secured parties;

(j) any inventory and any books and records, documents and instruments, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations relating to such inventory of the Issuer and the Guarantors;

(k) pledges and security interests prohibited by, or requiring any consent of any governmental authority pursuant to, any law, rule or regulation;

(l) the distribution centers located in Miami, Florida and Simi Valley, California; and

(m) proceeds and products from any and all of the foregoing excluded collateral described in clauses (a) through (l), unless such proceeds or products would otherwise constitute Notes Collateral;

provided, however, Excluded Assets shall not include any asset which secures obligations with respect to ABL Lenders Debt, other than inventory and any books and records, documents and instruments, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations relating to such inventory.

Excluded Capital Stock” means (a) any Capital Stock with respect to which the Issuer and the Trustee have reasonably determined that the costs (including any costs resulting from material adverse tax consequences) of pledging such Equity Interests shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Holders therefrom, (b) solely in the case of any pledge of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary to secure the Obligations under the Notes, any Capital Stock that are voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of such class, (c) any Capital Stock to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any applicable law, rule or regulation or contractual obligation, (d) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary), (e) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary whose assets, as reflected on their most recent balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and revenues for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, do not exceed $1.0 million, (f) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary and (g) the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the Capital Stock of the Issuer, Am-Pac and Tire Pros Francorp. shall not be deemed “Excluded Capital Stock” under this Indenture or the Collateral Documents.

Excluded Contract” means at any date any rights or interest of the Issuer or any Guarantor in any property or assets or under any agreement, contract, license, lease, instrument, document or other general intangible or, in the case of any investment property, under any applicable equity holder or similar agreement (referred to solely for purposes of this definition as a “Contract”) to the extent that such Contract by the terms of a restriction in favor of a Person who is not the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any requirement of law, prohibits, or requires any consent or establishes any other condition for or could our would be terminated, abandoned, invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or would be breached or defaulted under because of an assignment thereof or a grant of a security interest therein by the Issuer or a

 

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Guarantor; provided that: (i) rights to payment under any such Contract otherwise constituting an Excluded Contract by virtue of this definition shall be included in the Collateral to the extent permitted thereby or by Section 9-406 or Section 9-408 of the Uniform Commercial Code and (ii) all proceeds paid or payable to any of the Issuer or any Guarantor from any sale, transfer or assignment of such contract and all rights to receive such proceeds shall be included in the Collateral.

Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer from:

(a) contributions to its common equity capital; and

(b) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer; in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

Excluded Equipment” means at any date any equipment or other assets or property of the Issuer or any Guarantor which is subject to, or secured by, a Capitalized Lease Obligation or a purchase money obligation if and to the extent that (i) a restriction in favor of a Person who is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or has been incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(iv) contained in the agreements or documents granting or governing such Capitalized Lease Obligation or purchase money obligation or other obligation under Section 4.09(b)(iv) prohibits, or requires any consent or establishes any other conditions for or would or could be terminated, abandoned, invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or would be breached or defaulted under such agreement or document because of an assignment thereof, or a grant of a security interest therein, by the Issuer or any Guarantor and (ii) such restriction relates only to the asset or assets acquired by the Issuer or any Guarantor with the proceeds of such Capitalized Lease Obligation or purchase money obligation or other obligation under Section 4.09(b)(iv) and attachments and accessions thereto, improvements thereof or substitutions therefor; provided that all proceeds paid or payable to any of the Issuer or any Guarantor from any sale, transfer or assignment or other voluntary or involuntary disposition of such assets and all rights to receive such proceeds shall be included in the Collateral to the extent not otherwise required to be paid to the holder of any Capitalized Lease Obligations or purchase money obligations or other obligations under Section 4.09(b)(iv) secured by such assets.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Issuer in good faith.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

 

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For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation, or consolidation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(b) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and

(c) all dividends or other distributions paid or accrued (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof and any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets” means the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, as determined in accordance with GAAP in good faith by the Issuer, without intercompany eliminations between such Foreign Subsidiaries and the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which are in effect on the Issue Date.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Securities” means securities that are:

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Guarantor” means Holdings and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement (including equity derivative agreements) providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, currency, commodity or equity risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

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Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.

Holdings” as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Immediate Family Members” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(a) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i) in respect of borrowed money;

(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(iii) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) due more than twelve months after such property is acquired, except (i) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid after becoming due and payable; or

(iv) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations; if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded.

(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person;

provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (i) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (ii) obligations under or in respect of Qualified Securitization Facilities.

 

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Indenture” means this Secured Notes Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Indenture Obligations” means Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” as defined in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers” means Banc of America Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., RBC Capital Markets Corporation and UBS Securities LLC.

Intercompany Note” means the Intercompany Subordinated Note, dated as of the Issue Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto executed by Holdings, the Issuer and each other Subsidiary of the Issuer.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

Interest Payment Date” means June 1 and December 1 of each year to stated maturity, commencing on December 1, 2010.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if the Notes are not then rated by Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(b) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(c) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(d) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers and distributors, commission, travel and similar advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for

 

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consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

(a) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

(i) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less

(ii) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(b) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.

The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.

Investors” means TPG Capital, L.P. and, if applicable, each of its Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed by it or its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means May 28, 2010.

Issuer” as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Issuer’s Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or place of payment. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a place of Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuer and sent to all Holders for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

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Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement” means the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010, among the ABL Agent, the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer and each Guarantor, as it may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

Management Fee Agreement” means the management services agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Investors or their advisors, if applicable, and the Issuer.

Management Stockholders” means the members of management (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer (or its direct parent) who are holders of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent companies of the Issuer on the Issue Date or shall become holders of such Equity Interests in connection with the Acquisition.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Mortgage” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement entered into by the owner of a Mortgaged Property and the Notes Collateral Agent, which conveys or evidences a Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Holders, on such Mortgaged Property, substantially in the form of Exhibit F (with such changes thereto as may be necessary to account for local law matters) or otherwise in such form as agreed between the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent.

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, other fees and expenses, including title and recordation expenses, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien (other than Liens on the Collateral securing the ABL Facility) on such assets and required (other than required by clause (i) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

Notes” means the Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Notes Collateral” means (a) substantially all of the present and future tangible and intangible assets of the Issuer and the Guarantors, including without limitation equipment, contracts, intellectual property, fee-owned real property, general intangibles, material intercompany notes and proceeds of the

 

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foregoing (in each case, subject to certain exceptions) and (b) all of the Capital Stock of the Issuer and each material Restricted Subsidiary directly wholly-owned by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (limited, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, to 100% of the non-voting Capital Stock and 65% of the voting Capital Stock of each such directly owned Foreign Subsidiary), in each case other than the ABL Collateral and Excluded Assets, and subject to the limitations and exclusions described under Sections 13.01(b) and 13.01(c).

Notes Collateral Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., in its capacity as “Collateral Agent” under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the other Collateral Documents, and any successor thereto in such capacity.

Notes Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent, each Holder of the Notes and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Indenture Obligations in respect of the Notes outstanding at such time.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum” means the confidential offering memorandum, dated May 19, 2010, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of any Person. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer shall refer to an Officer of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer’s Certificate shall refer to a certificate of an Officer of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or the Trustee.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Participating Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Permitted Asset Swap” means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof; provided further that the assets received are pledged as Collateral to the extent required by the Collateral Documents (except to the extent the Lien thereon is released by the lenders under the ABL Facility) to the extent that the assets disposed of constituted Collateral.

 

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Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and Management Stockholders and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and Management Stockholders, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture shall thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(c) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit or product line, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) that is engaged directly or through entities that shall be Restricted Subsidiaries in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets (or a division, business unit or product line, including any research and development and related assets in respect of any product) or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation consolidation or transfer;

(d) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(e) any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investment or binding commitment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification or renewal only (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(f) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(i) consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business; or

 

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(ii) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor or customer); or

(iii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons; or

(iv) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(g) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (x) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(h) any Investment in a Similar Business taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of Total Assets;

(i) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof;

(j) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(k) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (ii) and (v));

(l) Investments consisting of purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(m) additional Investments, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or have not subsequently sold or transferred for cash or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of Total Assets;

(n) Investments in or relating to a Securitization Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Qualified Securitization Facility or any repurchase obligation in connection therewith;

(o) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $5.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(p) loans and advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses or payroll advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof;

(q) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(r) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business;

(t) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contacts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business;

(v) repurchases of Notes and Exchange Notes; and

(w) investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection of deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Issue Date;

 

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(e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(f) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv), (xii)(B), (xiii), (xxiii) or (xxiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (a) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) relate only to Obligations relating to Refinancing Indebtedness that (x) is secured by Liens on the same assets as the assets securing the Refinancing Indebtedness (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof) or (y) extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued under clause (iv) or (xii)(B) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, (b) Liens securing Obligations relating to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xxiii) of Section 4.09(b) extend only to the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries, (c) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xxiv) of Section 4.09(b) are solely on acquired property or the assets of the acquired entity, and (d) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof extend only to the assets so purchased, leased or improved and any accessions or extensions thereof;

(g) Liens existing on the Issue Date or pursuant to agreements in existence on the Issue Date;

(h) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or other assets owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof);

(i) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(j) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

 

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(k) Liens securing Hedging Obligations; provided that, with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(l) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (other than tire inventory) and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(m) leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses, granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(n) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(p) Liens created in favor of any tire company vendor to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that encumber all or any part of such vendor’s inventory and any books and records, documents and instruments, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations and any proceeds or products relating to such inventory, in each case existing on the Issue Date or hereafter created and existing;

(q) Liens on accounts receivable, Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;

(r) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h), and (i); provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus accessions, additions and improvements on such property (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof)), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (g), (h), and (i) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, and accrued and unpaid interest related to such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(s) deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(t) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $20.0 million and (ii) 1.25% of Total Assets determined as of the date of incurrence;

(u) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (e) of Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

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(v) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(w) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(x) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

(y) Liens encumbering reasonable customary deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(z) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(aa) Liens securing obligations owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any lender under the Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such a lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds;

(bb) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to capital stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(cc) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements with vendors for the sale or purchase of goods (other than tire inventory) entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(dd) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted;

(ee) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(ff) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(gg) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(hh) Liens on the assets of non-guarantor Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred; and

(ii) Liens arising solely from precautionary UCC financing statements or similar filings.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Qualified Proceeds” means the fair market value of assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business.

Qualified Securitization Facility” means any Securitization Facility that meets the following conditions: (a) the board of directors of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Securitization Facility (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and the applicable Securitization Subsidiary, (b) all sales and/or contributions of Securitization Assets and related assets to the applicable Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and (c) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).

Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Real Property Collateral Requirements” means, with respect to each owned real property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, including each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto, for which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 13.13 (each a “Mortgaged Property”), each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Notes Collateral Agent:

(a) a Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property;

(b) evidence that a counterpart of the Mortgage has been recorded or delivered to the appropriate title insurance company subject to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Notes Collateral Agent for the prompt recording thereof;

 

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(c) an ALTA or other mortgagee’s title policy or amendment thereto (or a marked unconditional binder thereof insuring the Lien of the Mortgage at ordinary rates);

(d) an opinion of counsel in the state in which such Mortgaged Property is located as to the recordability and enforceability of the applicable Mortgage in the relevant jurisdiction; and

(e) a flood zone certificate in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent, and, if any Mortgaged Property with improvements located thereon is being identified as being within a special flood hazard area, flood insurance in an amount required by applicable law.

Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the May 15 and November 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the Initial Purchasers and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Issuer and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Issuer to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

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Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to the Notes.

Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Secured Obligations” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Security Agreement.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Securitization Assets” means the accounts receivable, royalty or other revenue and other rights to payment and any other assets related thereto subject to a Qualified Securitization Facility and the proceeds thereof.

Securitization Facility” means any of one or more receivables securitization financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and

 

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indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or grants a security interest in its accounts receivable or assets related thereto to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization Facility.

Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Qualified Securitization Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, each Guarantor and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Notes Collateral Agent, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

Senior Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee.

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of the date of determination (the “Senior Secured Leverage Ratio Calculation Date”), the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available that is secured by Liens, less an amount equal to the amount of any cash and Cash Equivalents of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, to (b) EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such date for which internal financial statements are available.

In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio is made, then the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred immediately prior to the end of such most recent fiscal quarter end.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition,

 

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disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized).

Senior Subordinated Note Documents” means the indenture under which the Senior Subordinated Notes are issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

Senior Subordinated Notes” means $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 privately placed by the Issuer and guaranteed by the Guarantors on the Issue Date.

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Similar Business” means (a) any business engaged in by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, and (b) any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the Issue Date.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,

(a) any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

(b) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which

 

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(i) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

(ii) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. On the Issue Date, Am-Pac shall be the only Subsidiary Guarantor.

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer or such other Person as may be expressly stated.

Transaction Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 20, 2010, by and among Holdings, Accelerate Holdings Corp., Accelerate Acquisition Corp. and Investcorp International, Inc. (as Stockholders Representative), as the same may be amended prior to the Issue Date.

Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, including payments to officers, employees and directors as change of control payments, severance payments, special or retention bonuses and charges for repurchase or rollover of, or modifications to, stock options.

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of the Notes, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and borrowings under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date and other transactions in connection therewith or incidental thereto.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to June 1, 2013; provided that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-777bbbb).

Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(a) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and

(b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that

(i) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer;

(ii) such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and

(iii) each of (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (B) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

(a) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test or

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

 

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Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

(a) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

(b) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100.0% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section

“Acceptable Commitment”

   4.10

“Applicable Premium Deficit”

   8.04

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Asset Sale Offer”

   4.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.14

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“Fixed Charge Coverage Test”

   4.07

“incur”

   4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Mortgaged Property”

   definition of
“Real Property
Collateral
Requirements”

“Note Register”

   2.03

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

   4.10

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Redemption Date”

   3.01

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

“Rule 3-16”

   13.01

“Second Commitment”

   4.10

“Successor Company”

   5.01

“Successor Person”

   5.01

“Treasury Capital Stock”

   4.07

 

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Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Notes and the Guarantees;

indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including”, “includes” and similar words means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(f) “shall” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(h) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(j) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;

(k) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(l) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory purchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and

(m) all references to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest.

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuer may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

 

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(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuer may (but is not required to) fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE 2

THE SECURED NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

 

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Following (i) the termination of the Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Trustee of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof) and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer, the Trustee shall remove the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuer pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 hereof or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuer without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuer’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuer’s compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

(e) Designated Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture and any Notes issued under this Indenture for unpaid principal and accrued interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any insolvency or liquidation proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate) constitute “Designated Senior Indebtedness” under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

(f) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

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If an Officer of the Issuer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes or Exchange Notes (but only upon completion of an Exchange Offer or in a sale under a Shelf Registration Statement) for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued or increased hereunder.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. The Issuer or any of its domestic Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes representing the Notes.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

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Section 2.05 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (ii) the Issuer, at its option and subject to the procedures of DTC, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes (although Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt of any certificate required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B)), (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default or (iv) upon the request of DTC in accordance with customary DTC procedures. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

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(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the applicable Letter of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

 

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(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(2) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B), except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect

 

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that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of an Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

 

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(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE ISSUER OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS

 

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HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

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(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) (ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14, and 9.05 hereof).

(iii) (iii) The Issuer shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date with respect to such Note and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note.

(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(v) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

Section 2.07 Replacement Note. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer, and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If

 

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required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of

 

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transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposal of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer upon its request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13 CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof (or such shorter time as agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. This notice may be revoked prior to the date notice is mailed to the Holders.

 

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Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Notes are listed on an exchange, in compliance with the requirements of such exchange or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or, if the pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem appropriate. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or mail or caused to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.07 hereof, notices of redemption may not be conditional.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed shall be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) the CUSIP and ISIN number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and ISIN number that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

 

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(i) if in connection with a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, any condition to such redemption.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

If the Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such redemption and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date, unless such redemption is conditioned on the happening of a future event, at the redemption price. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that Redemption Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

 

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Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon notice in accordance with Section 3.02 and 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   107.313

2014

   104.875

2015

   102.438

2016

   100.000

(c) Until June 1, 2013, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 109.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 50.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(d) Any redemption or notice of redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof.

(e) Except pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of this Section 3.07, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to June 1, 2013.

(f) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or send, by first-class mail a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuer, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

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(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in an amount not less than $2,000 are purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose certificated Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.

(f) The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that purchase date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

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The Issuer shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC) from and after the Issue Date,

(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, containing the information required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q containing all quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form; and

(iii) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports on Form 8-K, or any successor or comparable form,

 

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in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC (i) if the SEC does not permit such filing or (ii) prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Initial Notes, in which event the Issuer shall make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, in addition to providing such information (subject, in the case of required financial information, to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum) to the Trustee and the Holders, in each case within 15 days after the applicable time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. To the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Any report required to be delivered under clause (ii) of this Section 4.03(a) prior to the first date of delivery of a report pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 4.03(a) following the Issue Date shall not be required to contain all purchase accounting adjustments relating to the Transactions to the extent it is not practicable to include any such adjustments in such report.

(b) The Issuer shall be permitted to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to Holdings (or any parent entity of Holdings) as long as Holdings (or any such parent entity of Holdings) provides a Guarantee of the Notes; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Holdings, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements of this Section 4.03 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement for the Initial Notes by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, to the extent filed within the time specified above, or (2) by posting on its website or providing to the Trustee by the applicable date the Issuer would be required to file such information as specified above, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, to the extent posted within the times specified above.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the financial information for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2010 shall not be required to comply with Regulation S-X so long as it is prepared in a manner consistent with the financial information provided in the Offering Memorandum or include any purchase accounting adjustments or financial statement footnotes.

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of clause (c) of Section 6.01 hereof until 90 days after the date any report is due under this Section 4.03.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or 30 days after such later date as specified in Section 4.03(a)(i)), a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has

 

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been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than five Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, other than:

(A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or

(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

 

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(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, other than:

(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

(B) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of such Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Test”); and

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (vi)(C), (ix) and (xiv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(1) 50.0% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on April 4, 2010 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100.0% of such deficit; plus

(2) 100.0% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) from the issue or sale of:

(i)(A) Equity Interests of the Issuer, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

 

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(y) Designated Preferred Stock; and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such company or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or

(ii) debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Issuer; provided that this clause (B) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(3) 100.0% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer following the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary and other than any Excluded Contributions); plus

(4) 100.0% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) and repayments of loans or advances which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than, in each case, to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus

(5) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $15.0 million, shall be determined by the board of directors of the Issuer whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or other

 

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distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or other distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (B) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividend on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, exchange or other acquisition or retirement of (1) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor or (2) Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, that, in each case, is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any reasonable tender premium, defeasance costs and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;

(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(C) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired; and

(D) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer

 

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or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any notes issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition), including any Equity Interest rolled over by management of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with the Transactions; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause does not exceed $5.0 million in the first fiscal year following the Issue Date (which amount shall be increased by $1.0 million each fiscal year thereafter and, if applicable, shall be increased to $10.0 million following the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering) (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years); provided, further, that each of the amounts in any fiscal year under this clause may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv); and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants of the Issuer (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies shall not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;

(B) the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which shall be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or

 

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series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by such parent company after the Issue Date, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(C) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 4.09(a);

(vii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of (a) $20.0 million and (b) 1.25% of Total Assets;

(viii) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) and any repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or required withholding or similar taxes;

(ix) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to fund a payment of dividends on such company’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Issuer’s common stock or the common stock of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer after the Issue Date, of up to 6.0% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Issuer in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(x) Restricted Payments in an amount equal to the amount of Excluded Contributions previously received;

(xi) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xi) not to exceed the greater of (a) $40.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Total Assets;

(xii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees;

(xiii) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto or owed to Affiliates, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

 

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(xiv) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions similar to those described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof; provided that all Notes validly tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(xv) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to pay, in each case without duplication,

(A) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;

(B) foreign, federal, state and local income and similar taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent company;

(C) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to employees, directors, officers and managers of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(D) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(E) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Issuer related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent company;

(F) amounts payable pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement, (including any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Fee Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date), solely to the extent such amounts are not paid directly by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries;

(G) cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer;

(H) to finance Investments that would otherwise permitted to be made pursuant to this Section 4.07 if made by the Issuer; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (B) such direct or indirect parent company shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property

 

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acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof) in order to consummate such Investment, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture, (D) any property received by the Issuer shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this Section 4.07(b) (other than pursuant to clause (x) of this Section 4.07(b)) or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments” (other than clause (i) thereof); and

(I) amounts that would be permitted to be paid by the Issuer under clauses (iv), (vii), (xii) and (xiii) (but, in the case of clause (xiii), only in respect of indemnities and expenses) of Section 4.11(b); provided that the amount of any dividend or distribution under this clause (xv)(I) to permit such payment shall reduce Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer to the extent, if any, that such payment would have reduced Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer and increase (or, without duplication of any reduction of Consolidated Net Income, decrease) EBITDA to the extent, if any, that Consolidated Net Income is reduced under this clause (xv)(I) and such payment would have been added back to (or, to the extent excluded from Consolidated Net Income, would have been deducted from) EBITDA if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer, in each case, in the period such payment is made;

(xvi) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are Cash Equivalents);

(xvii) dividends or distributions to Holdings in order to defease, redeem, repurchase, exchange or otherwise acquire or retire Holdings’ 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013; and

(xviii) payments in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million for the redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of the Senior Subordinated Notes; provided that after giving pro forma effect to such redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00,

provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (xi) and (xvi) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the next to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof or under clause (vii), (x) or (xi) of

 

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Section 4.07(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the ABL Facility and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations, the Senior Subordinated Notes and the related indenture;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the guarantees thereof;

(iii) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;

(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries or the property or assets so acquired;

(vi) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

 

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(vii) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(viii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof;

(x) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements relating solely to such joint venture;

(xi) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) restrictions created in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect such Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xiii) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that are the subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;

(xiv) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or Securitization Subsidiary which was previously an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that such Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Subsidiary;

(xv) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09; provided that, in the judgment of the Issuer, such incurrence shall not materially impair the Issuer’s ability to make payments on the Notes when due; and

(xvi) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xv) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

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Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Issuer’s most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided that the amount of Indebtedness (other than Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be incurred pursuant to the foregoing by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors of the Notes shall not exceed $40.0 million at any one time outstanding.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to:

(i) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(i) without duplication, does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (A) $550.0 million and (B) the Borrowing Base at the time such debt is incurred;

(ii) (A) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Notes and the guarantees thereof pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (but excluding any Additional Notes) and (B) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Senior Subordinated Notes (including any guarantee thereof);

(iii) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.09(b)) and for purposes of clause (xiii) below, (vii) through (ix) and any of the Issuer’s Floating Rate Notes due 2012 or 10  3/4 Senior Notes due 2013 outstanding on the Issue Date);

(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or other assets, including assets that are used or useful in a Similar

 

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Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued and outstanding under this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (A) $45.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Total Assets (in each case, determined at the date of incurrence) at any time outstanding;

(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnouts or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet shall not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (vi));

(vii) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(viii) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, further, that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(ix) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause;

 

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(x) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(xi) obligations in respect of self-insurance and obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference up to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (C)(2) and (C)(3) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clause (a) and (c) of the definition thereof) and (B) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B), does not at any one time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $70.0 million and (y) 4.75% of Total Assets (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii)(B) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xii)(B));

(xiii) the incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, the issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Disqualified Stock or the issuance by any Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock which serves to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (xii)(A) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (xiii) and clauses (xiv) and (xxiv) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

 

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(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased;

(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases (i) Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee thereof at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively; and

(C) shall not include:

(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer;

(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(3) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(4) and, provided, further, that subclause (A) of this clause (xiii) shall not apply to any extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of any Secured Indebtedness.

(xiv) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the case of (A) and (B), after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation either

(1) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test, or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer is greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and is at least 1.75:1;

(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to Credit Facilities that is incurred under clause (i) of this Section 4.09(b), in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

 

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(xvii) (A) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or

(B) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuer; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;

(xviii) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers and consultants thereof, their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;

(xix) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(xx) Indebtedness in respect of Bank Products provided by banks or other financial institutions to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xxi) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms on a recourse basis;

(xxii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(xxiii) (A) the incurrence of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding, 5.0% of the Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets and (B) the incurrence of Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the Borrowing Base of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries; provided that any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (B) shall only be permitted to be used for working capital purposes of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries;

(xxiv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance or assumed in connection with an acquisition in a principal amount not to exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding together with all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued under this clause (xxiv) (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xxiv) shall cease to be deemed incurred, issued or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xxiv) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xxiv)); and

 

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(xxv) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under Section 4.09(a) hereof; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and

(ii) at the time of incurrence, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b) hereof.

Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the same class shall not be deemed to be an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (A) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (B) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

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This Indenture shall not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate an Asset Sale, unless:

(i) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined by the Issuer at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75.0% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Issuer and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale; and

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.25% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale,

(i) to reduce indebtedness as follows:

(A) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale constitute Notes Collateral, to permanently reduce (or offer to reduce) Obligations under the Notes and any Additional Parity Debt on a pro rata basis, provided that all reductions of or offers to reduce Obligations under the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07 hereof or through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100.0% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 and Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be repurchased; or

 

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(B) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale do not constitute Notes Collateral, but constitute collateral for other Senior Indebtedness, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture, to reduce Obligations under such other Senior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture; or

(C) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale do not constitute collateral for any Senior Indebtedness, to permanently reduce (or offer to reduce) Obligations under other Senior Indebtedness (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes and any Additional Parity Debt on a pro rata basis, provided that all reductions of or offers to reduce Obligations under the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07 hereof or through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100.0% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 and Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be repurchased; or

(D) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale are the property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

(E) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale do not constitute Collateral, to permanently reduce Obligations under the Senior Subordinated Notes in an amount not to exceed 2.0% of Total Assets; provided that after giving pro forma effect to such permanent reduction, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00; or

(ii) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures or (C) acquisitions of other assets, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Similar Business; provided that the assets (including Capital Stock) acquired with the Net Proceeds of a disposition of Collateral are pledged as Collateral to the extent required under the Collateral Documents (except to the extent the Lien thereon is released by the lenders under the ABL Facility); or

(iii) to make an Investment in (A) any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) properties or (C) acquisitions of other assets that, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; provided that the assets (including Capital Stock) acquired with the Net Proceeds of a disposition of Collateral are pledged as Collateral to the extent required under the Collateral Documents (except to the extent the Lien thereon is released by the lenders under the ABL Facility); provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, a binding commitment entered into not later than such 450th day shall extend the period for such Investment or other payment for an additional 180 days after the end of such 450-day period so long as the Issuer or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in

 

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the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within such 180-day period; provided, further, that (x) if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or (y) such Net Proceeds are not actually so invested or paid in accordance with clauses (ii) or (iii) above by the end of such 180-day period, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds on the date of such cancellation or termination, or such 180th day, as applicable.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) hereof shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer to all Holders and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is in an amount equal to at least $2,000, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $20.0 million by delivering the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days (or such longer period provided above) or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $20.0 million or less.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with adjustments as needed for selection of authorized minimum denominations) based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds that resulted in the Asset Sale Offer shall be reset to zero.

(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the holder of such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(e) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

The provisions of this Section 4.10 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

 

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Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $7.5 million, unless:

(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and

(ii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $15.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) of this Section 4.11(a).

(b) The provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:

(i) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(iii) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement, or, in each case, any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Fee Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided on behalf of or for the benefit of, current or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

(vi) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

 

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(vii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole;

(viii) the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including Transaction Expenses;

(ix) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services that are Affiliates, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(x) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or to any Permitted Holder or to any employee, director, officer, manager, distributor or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(xi) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets or related assets in connection with or any Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xii) payments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith;

(xiii) payments and Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of any Restricted Subsidiary to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement; and any employment agreements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or arrangements with any such employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith;

 

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(xiv) investments by any of the Investors in securities of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Investors in connection therewith) so long as (A) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities;

(xv) payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, any cash management activities related thereto);

(xvi) payments by the Issuer (and any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Issuer (and any such parent company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;

(xvii) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Issuer, as lessor, which is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith; and

(xviii) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business.

Section 4.12 Liens. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, in each such case to the extent such asset, property, income or profits constitute Collateral, except that, other than as provided in the next paragraph, the foregoing shall not apply to (A) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees (and the Exchange Notes and the related guarantees in respect thereof) and (B) (i) Permitted Liens, (ii) Liens securing (x) Indebtedness and other Obligations permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (y) obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligations provided by any arranger, agent or lender party to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such arranger, agent or lender (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products or Hedging Obligations are provided or were entered into); provided, however, that this subclause (B)(ii) shall not permit simultaneous first-priority Liens in respect of such Indebtedness on both the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral and (iii) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under this subclause (B)(iii), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of Indebtedness (other than Permitted Liens, except for such Permitted Liens as are permitted by clause (f) of the definition thereof in respect of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(xii)(B) and Section 4.09(b)(xiii) (unless the initial Indebtedness was so permitted to be secured)) on any inventory of the Issuer or its Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries other than (i) pursuant to Indebtedness incurred pursuant Section 4.09(b)(i) and any refinancings thereof; provided that such Indebtedness does not constitute debt securities issued in a capital markets transaction, (ii) obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products provided by any lender party to any Credit Facility permitted to be secured pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph or any Affiliate of such lender (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of a lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products are provided were entered into) and (iii) Hedging Obligations secured under any Credit Facility permitted to be secured pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph that are otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

Section 4.13 Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its company existence (for the avoidance of doubt the Issuer may convert into a limited liability company; provided that there is a corporate co-issuer entity), and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Security Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:

(a) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer shall be accepted for payment by the Issuer;

(b) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(c) that any Note not properly tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(d) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(e) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(f) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes, provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of

 

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business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(g) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes shall be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;

(h) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(i) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.14 that a Holder must follow.

The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(j) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by law:

(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

(iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuer.

(k) The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

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(m) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06, hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.

The provisions of this Section 4.14, and the definition of “Change of Control,” may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign Subsidiary (except any Foreign Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer under the ABL Facility or capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor) or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

(a) such Restricted Subsidiary, within 30 days after the guarantee of such Indebtedness, executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and

(b) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;

provided that this covenant shall not be applicable to (i) any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) guarantees of any Qualified Securitization Facility by any Restricted Subsidiary. The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 30 day period described in clause (1) above.

Section 4.16 Impairment of Security Interests; Further Assurances.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of Permitted Liens, neither the Issuer nor any of the Guarantors shall take any action, or knowingly or negligently omit to take any action, which action or omission might or would or could be reasonably expected to have the result of materially impairing the security interest with respect to the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders in contravention of the provisions of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee and the Holders acknowledge and agree that any release of the Liens pursuant to this Indenture and the Collateral Documents shall not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture and that any Person may rely on such provision in delivering a certificate requesting release so long as all other provisions of this Indenture with respect to such release have been complied with.

 

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(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in the Collateral Documents, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors shall execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action that may be reasonably required under applicable law, or that the Notes Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests and Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents in the Collateral.

Section 4.17 After-Acquired Property. Promptly following the acquisition by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations, if applicable, described in Article 13 and the Collateral Documents), the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, financing statements and, in the case of interests in real property, certificates and opinions of counsel, as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Notes Collateral Agent a perfected security interest in such After-Acquired Property and to have such After-Acquired Property added to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, shall be deemed to relate to such After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

Section 4.18 Insurance. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (a) insurance in such amounts and against such risks, as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated companies) and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents (and shall cause the Notes Collateral Agent to be listed as a lenders’ loss payee (together with any other lenders’ loss payee in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreements) on property and casualty policies covering loss or damage to Collateral and as an additional insured on liability policies). The Issuer shall furnish to the Notes Collateral Agent, upon request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained. The Issuer shall name the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies and as an additional insured as its interests may appear on the liability policies listed in this Section 4.18.

Section 4.19 Payment for Consent. Neither the Issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any cash consideration to any Holder for any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered and is paid to all Holders that are QIBs that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made, is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of

 

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Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(ii) the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture, the Notes and the Collateral Documents pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments;

(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

(A) the Successor Company or the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test hereof, or

(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer immediately prior to such transaction;

(v) each Guarantor, unless it is a Subsidiary Guarantor that is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(i)(B) shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(vi) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Issuer under this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,

(i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (or to a Restricted Subsidiary if that Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

(iii) the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Issuer in the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

(c) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors, the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof.

(d) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (1) merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer, (2) merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Subsidiary Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (3) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the foregoing clauses do not apply to the Transactions or any related transaction occurring on the Issue Date.

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(b) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Notes;

(c) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above) contained in this Indenture, the Notes or the Collateral Documents;

(d) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(e) failure by Holdings, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(f) Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), in a proceeding in which Holdings, the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), or for all or substantially all of the property of Holdings, the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(h) the Guarantee of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of Holdings or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary) (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statement of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; or

 

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(i) with respect to any Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a fair market value in excess of $50.0 million, any of the Collateral Documents ceases to be in full force and effect, or any of the Collateral Documents ceases to give the Holders the Liens purported to be created thereby, or any of the Collateral Documents is declared null and void or Holdings, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary denies in writing that it has any further liability under any Collateral Document or gives written notice to such effect (in each case (i) other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or the terms of the ABL Facility or the Collateral Documents or (ii) unless waived by the requisite lenders under the ABL Facility), except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Trustee to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents; provided that if a failure of the sort described in this clause (i) is susceptible of cure, no Event of Default shall arise under this clause (i) with respect thereto until 30 days after notice of such failure shall have been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture.

Section 6.02 Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than a type specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest shall be due and payable immediately.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, the Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the best judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the best interests of the Holders.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under this Indenture except if such rescission would not conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (d) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(a) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(b) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(c) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

 

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Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(b) Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) the Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(e) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.13 Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6 or receives any money from the Notes Collateral Agent as the distribution of proceeds received upon realization of any Collateral, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(a) to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(b) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(c) to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) In the event the Issuer is required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuer’s obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuer. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

(k) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(l) The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

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Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor, or liability in connective with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g)hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 310;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, at the expense of the Issuer, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

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Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees, the Collateral released and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

 

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Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof, clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) and Article 13 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(g) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date, provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purpose of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any defeasance shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);

(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

 

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(i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(ii) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the ABL Facility, or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds shall not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(g) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(h) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(d) to provide the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

 

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(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(f) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;

(i) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(j) to add a Guarantor under this Indenture;

(k) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes; or

(l) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

 

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Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof are not redemptions of the Notes);

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(d) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(g) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(h) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(i) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders;

 

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(j) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary in any manner materially adverse to the Holders; or

(k) release the Liens created by the Collateral Documents on all or substantially all the Collateral (other than in accordance with the terms of the ABL Facility or the Collateral Documents or with the consent of the requisite lenders under the ABL Facility).

In addition, without the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may (1) modify any Collateral Document, the Intercreditor Agreements or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the Collateral or the Collateral Documents that would release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Collateral Documents (except as permitted by the terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements) or change or alter the priority of the security interests in the Collateral, (2) make any change in any Collateral Document, any Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Collateral or the Collateral Documents or the application of trust proceeds of the Collateral that would adversely affect the Holders in any material respect or (3) modify the Intercreditor Agreements in any manner adverse to the Holders in any material respect other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies in all material respects with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an

 

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amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) for the Trustee to execute any a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee. Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed

 

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hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general secured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation, for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, or similar limitation, under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President or Treasurer, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06 Release of Guarantees by Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under a guarantee (other than a guarantee of the ABL Facility) that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15) (notwithstanding the foregoing, a Guarantee provided by a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Issue Date may not be released and discharged pursuant to this Section 10.06(a)(ii));

(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

 

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(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(b) such Subsidiary Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 10.07 Release of Guarantee by Holdings. The Guarantee by Holdings shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(a) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(b) Holdings delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purpose of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any satisfaction and discharge shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);

(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the

 

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granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the ABL Facility, or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(iii) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(iv) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (i) of clause (b) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

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Section 12.02 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and/or any Guarantor:

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Attention: David Dyckman

Fax No.: 704-992-1451

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Fax No.: 904-645-1921

Attention: American Tire Trustee

The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and, subject to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, on the final date on which publication is made, if given by publication.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

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(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 12.08 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.10 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by,

 

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directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.12 Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 or Section 10.07 hereof.

Section 12.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.

Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.16 Qualification of Indenture. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be provided with such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as is necessary in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE 13

COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS

Section 13.01 Collateral and Collateral Documents.

(a) The due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes and performance of all other Indenture Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture, the Notes, any Hedging Obligations related to the Notes and guarantees thereof (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Hedging Obligations and guarantees thereof secured under the ABL Facility), the Intercreditor Agreements and the Collateral Documents, according to the terms

 

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hereunder or thereunder, shall be secured as provided in the Collateral Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure the Notes and such other Obligations, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements. The Trustee and the Issuer hereby acknowledge and agree that the Notes Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the Intercreditor Agreements as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreements, and authorizes and directs the Notes Collateral Agent to enter into the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith; provided, however, that if any of the provisions of the Collateral Documents limit, qualify or conflict with the duties imposed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall control. The Issuer shall deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent copies of all documents pursuant to the Collateral Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 13.01, to assure and confirm to the Notes Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Collateral Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and purposes herein expressed. The Issuer shall, and shall cause the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer to, use its and their commercially reasonable efforts to take any and all actions reasonably required to cause the Collateral Documents to create and maintain, as security for the Indenture Obligations, a valid and enforceable perfected Lien and security interest in and on all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements), in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,

(i) the Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the capital stock of the Issuer) shall constitute Notes Collateral only to the extent that such Capital Stock can secure the Notes without Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (“Rule 3-16”) (or any other law, rule or regulation) requiring separate financial statements of such Subsidiary to be filed with the SEC (or any other governmental agency);

(ii) in the event that Rule 3-16 requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other governmental agency) of separate financial statements of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Issuer) due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock secure the Notes, then the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed not to be part of the Notes Collateral, but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement (in such event, the Collateral Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Holder of the Notes, to the extent necessary to release the security interests in the shares of Capital Stock and other securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Notes Collateral); and

(iii) in the event that either Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to secure the Notes in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other governmental agency) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary, then the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed to be a part of the Notes Collateral but only to the

 

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extent necessary to not be subject to any such financial statement requirement (in such event, the Collateral Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, to the extent necessary to subject to the Liens under the Collateral Documents such additional Capital Stock).

(c) In addition to the limitations described in Section 13.01(b), the Notes Collateral shall not include (i) property or assets as to which the Notes Collateral Agent has notified any Guarantor in writing that it has reasonably determined that the costs of obtaining a security interest are excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded thereby and (ii) the Excluded Assets.

(d) In the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the Notes Collateral shall be limited to 100% of the non-voting Capital Stock and 65% of the voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiaries.

(e) Each Holder of the Notes, by its acceptance of the Notes, (i) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees that it shall be bound by, and shall take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) authorizes and instructs the Noteholder Collateral Agent (as defined in the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of each holder of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations (as defined in the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement) to enter into the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement as Noteholder Collateral Agent on behalf of such holders of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations. The foregoing provisions of this Section 13.01(e) are intended as an inducement to the holders of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations to acquire the Notes and such Holders of Notes are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and of the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

(f) In addition, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to obtain any landlord waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters and shall not be required to (i) take actions to perfect by control, other than stock pledges and control agreements relating to ABL Collateral, promissory notes, letter of credit rights and commercial tort claims, in each case in excess of $5 million or (ii) take any actions under any laws outside of the United States to grant, perfect or enforce any security interest.

Section 13.02 Recordings and Opinions. The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of § 314(b) of the Trust Indenture Act following qualification of this Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, except to the extent not required as set forth in any SEC regulation or interpretation (including any no-action letter issued by the Staff of the SEC, whether issued to the Issuer or any other Person), subject to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. Following such qualification, to the extent the Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 314(b)(2), the Issuer shall furnish such opinion as required by such Section.

Section 13.03 Release of Collateral.

(a) Subject to Sections 13.03(b) and 13.04 hereof, Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Collateral Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements or as provided hereby. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to a release of property and other assets included in the Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes, and the Trustee (subject to its receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as provided below) shall release, or instruct the Notes Collateral Agent to release, as applicable, the same from such Liens at the Issuer’s sole cost and expense, under one or more of the following circumstances:

(i) to enable the Issuer or any Guarantor to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral to the extent not prohibited under Section 4.10 hereof;

 

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(ii) in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Guarantee with respect to all of the Notes, the release of the property and assets of such Guarantor;

(iii) to the extent property is subject to a lease, upon termination of the lease;

(iv) pursuant to an amendment or waiver in accordance with Article 9 hereof;

(v) if all of the Notes have been defeased pursuant to Article 8 hereof or satisfied and discharged pursuant to Article 11 hereof; or

(vi) upon payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all of the Notes and all other Obligations related thereto under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with respect thereto, that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) are paid.

(b) Subject to the provisions contained in the Intercreditor Agreements, in general the second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the termination and repayment in full of the ABL Facility and the release by the ABL Agent of the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral. The second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall terminate and be released automatically if the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral are released by the ABL Agent (unless, at the time of such release of such first-priority liens, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture). Notwithstanding the existence of an Event of Default, the second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall also terminate and be released automatically to the extent the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral are released by the ABL Agent in connection with a sale, transfer or disposition of ABL Collateral that is either not prohibited under this Indenture or occurs in connection with the foreclosure of, or other exercise of remedies with respect to, such ABL Collateral by the ABL Agent (except with respect to any proceeds of such sale, transfer or disposition that remain after satisfaction in full of the ABL Lenders Debt). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a release of liens by the ABL Agent on all or substantially all of the ABL Collateral (other than in connection with a foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies by the ABL Agent with respect to such ABL Collateral), no release of the second-priority liens on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall be made unless (i) consent to such release has been given by the requisite percentage or number of the holders of the Notes at the time outstanding, in accordance with Section 9.02 hereof, as provided for in the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Collateral Documents and (ii) the Issuer has delivered an Officer’s Certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent certifying that all such consents have been obtained. The second priority Liens in the ABL Collateral securing the Notes that otherwise would have been released pursuant to the second sentence of this clause (b) but for the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default shall be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default under this Indenture cease to exist.

(c) Upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents (and Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act), if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, or shall cause the Notes Collateral Agent, to execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements. Neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent

 

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shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Collateral Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

Section 13.04 Permitted Releases Not To Impair Lien; Trust Indenture Act Requirements.

(a) To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall cause § 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, relating to reports, and § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act, relating to the release of property or securities subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents, to be complied with.

(b) Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 13.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents in contravention thereof. Any certificate or opinion required by § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act may be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.04, the Issuer shall not be required to comply with all or any portion of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if it determines, in good faith based on the written advice of counsel, a copy of which written advice shall be provided to the Trustee, that under the terms of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to any release or series of releases of Collateral.

Section 13.05 Certificates of the Trustee. In the event that the Issuer wishes to release Collateral in accordance with this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and the Issuer has delivered the certificates and documents required by the Collateral Documents and Section 13.03 hereof, if § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is applicable to such releases (the applicability of which shall be established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.04 hereof or otherwise), the Trustee shall determine whether it has received all documentation required by § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act in connection with such release (which determination may be based upon the Opinion of Counsel hereafter described) and, based on an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof, shall deliver a certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent setting forth such determination. The Trustee, however, shall have no duty to confirm the legality, genuineness, accuracy, contents or validity of such documents (or any signature appearing therein), its sole duty being to certify its receipt of such documents which, on their face (and assuming that they are what they purport to be), conform to § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 13.06 Suits To Protect the Collateral. Subject to the provisions of Article 7 hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Holders, on behalf of the Holders, may direct the Notes Collateral Agent to take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to:

(a) enforce any of the terms of the Collateral Documents; and

(b) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations hereunder.

Subject to the provisions of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the

 

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Trustee shall have power to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of any of the Collateral Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the Collateral (including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the Lien on the Collateral or be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders or the Trustee). Nothing in this Section 13.06 shall be considered to impose any such duty or obligation to act on the part of the Trustee.

Section 13.07 Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Collateral Documents. Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Collateral Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 13.08 Purchaser Protected. In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article 13 to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

Section 13.09 Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee. In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article 13 upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article 13; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.

Section 13.10 Release Upon Termination of the Issuer’s Obligations. In the event that the Issuer delivers to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to it, an Officer’s Certificate certifying that (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all of the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with respect thereto, that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any), are paid or (ii) the Issuer shall have exercised its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 8, or its satisfaction and discharge option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 11 hereof, in each case with respect to all of the Notes, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent a notice stating that the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, disclaims and gives up any and all rights it has in or to the Collateral (other than with respect to funds held by the Trustee pursuant to Article 8 and Article 11), and any rights it has under the Collateral Documents, and upon receipt by the Notes Collateral Agent of such notice, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to hold a Lien in the Collateral on behalf of the Trustee and shall do or cause to be done all acts reasonably necessary at the Issuer’s cost to release such Lien as soon as is reasonably practicable.

 

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Section 13.11 Notes Collateral Agent.

(a) The Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby designates and appoints the Notes Collateral Agent as its agent under this Indenture the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and the Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby irrevocably authorizes the Notes Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Notes Collateral Agent by the terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 13.11 are solely for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent and none of the Trustee, any of the Holders, the Issuer nor any of the Guarantors shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein other than as expressly provided in Section 13.03. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Notes Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities hereunder nor shall the Notes Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder or any Guarantor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements or otherwise exist against the Notes Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Indenture with reference to the Notes Collateral 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 merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions which the Notes Collateral Agent is expressly entitled to take or assert under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, including the exercise of remedies pursuant to Article 6, and any action so taken or not taken shall be deemed consented to by the Trustee and the Holders.

(b) None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or under or in connection with any Collateral Document or the Intercreditor Agreements or the transactions contemplated thereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Trustee or any Holder for any recital, statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any officer or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, contained in this or any Indenture, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Notes Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, or for any failure of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other party to this Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates shall be under any obligation to the Trustee or any Holder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements or to inspect the properties, books, or records of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Guarantor’s Affiliates.

(c) The Notes Collateral Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with the Issuer, any Guarantor and their Affiliates as though it was not the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Trustee. The Trustee and the Holders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, the Notes

 

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Collateral Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Issuer, any Guarantor or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Issuer, any such Guarantor or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to the Trustee or the Holders. Nothing herein shall impose or imply any obligation on the part of the Notes Collateral Agent to advance funds.

(d) The Notes Collateral Agent is authorized and directed to (i) enter into the Collateral Documents, (ii) enter into the Intercreditor Agreements, (iii) bind the Holders on the terms as set forth in the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and (iv) perform and observe its obligations under the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

(e) The Trustee agrees that it shall not (and shall not be obliged to), and shall not instruct the Notes Collateral Agent to, unless specifically requested to do so by a majority of the Holders, take or cause to be taken any action to enforce its rights under this Indenture or against the Issuer or any Guarantor, including the commencement of any legal or equitable proceedings, to foreclose any Lien on, or otherwise enforce any security interest in, any of the Collateral.

If at any time or times the Trustee shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, set-off or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations arising under, or relating to, this Indenture, except for any such proceeds or payments received by the Trustee from the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, or (ii) payments from the Notes Collateral Agent in excess of the amount required to be paid to the Trustee pursuant to Article 6, the Trustee shall promptly turn the same over to the Notes Collateral Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to the Notes Collateral Agent.

(f) The Trustee is each Holder’s agent for the purpose of perfecting the Holders’ security interest in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code can be perfected only by possession. Should the Trustee obtain possession of any such Collateral, upon request from the Issuer, the Trustee shall notify the Notes Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Notes Collateral Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Notes Collateral Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Notes Collateral Agent’s instructions.

(g) The Notes Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Trustee or any of the Holders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Notes Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to determine whether all or the Issuer or any Guarantor’s property constituting collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Collateral Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the genuineness, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Collateral Document or the Intercreditor Agreements, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, the Notes Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given the Notes Collateral Agent’s own interest in the Collateral and that the Notes Collateral Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to the Trustee or any Holder as to any of the foregoing.

(h) No provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or any Collateral Document shall require the Notes Collateral Agent (or the Trustee) to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or to take or omit to

 

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take any action hereunder or thereunder or take any action at the request or direction of Holders (or the Trustee in the case of the Notes Collateral Agent) if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it.

(i) The Notes Collateral Agent (i) shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, or for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Notes Collateral Agent was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts, (ii) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Notes Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Issuer (and money held in trust by the Notes Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law), (iii) the Notes Collateral Agent may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel. The grant of permissive rights or powers to the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be construed to impose duties to act.

(j) Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters. Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages (included but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.

Section 13.12 Designations. Except as provided in the next sentence, for purposes of the provisions hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements requiring the Issuer to designate Indebtedness for the purposes of the term “ABL Lenders Debt” or any other such designations hereunder or under the Intercreditor Agreements, any such designation shall be sufficient if the relevant designation is set forth in writing, signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent. For all purposes hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Issuer hereby designates the Obligations pursuant to the ABL Facility as “ABL Lenders Debt.”

Section 13.13 Additional Collateral.

(a) (i) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 13.13, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor will cause the issued and outstanding Capital Stock (other than Excluded Capital Stock) of each Subsidiary directly owned by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to be subject at all times to a first priority (subject to the Intercreditor Agreements and to other Permitted Liens), perfected Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Indenture and the other Collateral Documents.

(ii) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 13.13, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor will cause, except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $2,500,000 (individually) that is owing to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note and pledged and delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

 

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(iii) Each of the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that all Indebtedness of Holdings, the Issuer and each of its Subsidiaries that is owing to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, which promissory note shall be required to be pledged and delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

(b) In furtherance of Section 4.16(b), but subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 13.13, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, and without limiting the foregoing, the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor will execute and deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries, as applicable (including the delivery of the Real Property Collateral Requirements), which may be required by law or which the Notes Collateral Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Indenture and the other Collateral Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, provided, however, that neither the Issuer nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to grant any security interest or take any action to perfect any security interest under the law of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.

(c) Subject to the limitations set forth or referred to in this Section 13.13, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, if any material assets (including any real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) are acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Issue Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent upon acquisition thereof), the Issuer will, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the Notes Collateral Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Notes Collateral Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (b) of this Section 13.13, all at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, real property required to be mortgaged under the Collateral Documents (i) shall exclude the Miami, Florida and Simi Valley, California real estate and (ii) shall be limited to real property located in the United States of America that is owned in fee by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the cost or book value of which (whichever is greater) at the time of the acquisition thereof (or, in the case of real property owned on the Issue Date), the cost or book value of which (whichever is greater) on the Issue Date is $2,500,000 or more (provided that the cost of perfecting such Lien is not unreasonable in relation to the benefits to the Holders of the security afforded thereby in the reasonable determination of the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent).

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not be required to include as Collateral any Excluded Assets.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Indenture as of the Closing Date.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ J. Michael Gaither
Name: J. Michael Gaither

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel

          and Secretary

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ J. Michael Gaither
Name: J. Michael Gaither

Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel

          and Secretary

 

AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.
By: /s/ J. Michael Gaither
Name: J. Michael Gaither
Title: Vice President and Secretary

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By: /s/ Christie Leppert
Name: Christie Leppert
Title: Vice President
Date: May 28, 2010

(Signature Page for Indenture)

 

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EXHIBIT A

[Face of Senior Secured Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP [030210 AE8] [U03046 AC0]

ISIN [US030210AE80] [USU03046AC09]

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing

9.750% Senior Secured Note due 2017

No.

American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                      or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Senior Note attached hereto] [of                      United States Dollars] on June 1, 2017.

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1, commencing on December 1, 2010

Record Dates: May 15 and November 15

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

Dated:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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[Back of Senior Secured Note]

9.750% Senior Secured Note due 2017

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) Interest. American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 9.750% from May 28, 2010 until maturity and to pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year beginning December 1, 2010, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer shall make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including May 28, 2010. The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(2) Method of Payment. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes shall be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2017. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes in accordance with Sections 2.01, 4.09 and 4.12 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The

 

A-5


Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(5) Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) hereof, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option.

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(c) On or after June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   107.313

2014

   104.875

2015

   102.438

2016

   100.000

(d) Until June 1, 2013, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 109.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 50.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. If any Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

(6) Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

A-6


(7) Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. No Notes of less than $2,000 can be redeemed in part, except that if all the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption.

(8) Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

(9) Security. In order to secure the Indenture Obligations, the Issuer and the Guarantors have entered into the Collateral Documents. The Indenture Obligations shall be secured by Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Collateral Documents and will be subject to the Intercreditor Agreements.

(10) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

(11) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(12) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

(13) Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency as set forth in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the

 

A-7


Issuer is required within five Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

(14) Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

(15) Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

(16) Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

(17) CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

     _______________________
     (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                   
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.   

 

Date:  

 

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:  

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.10 [    ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

  $                    

Date:

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:  

 

Signature Guarantee*:  

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $            . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

 

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Secured

Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Secured

Note

 

Principal

Amount of this

Global Secured

Note following

such decrease

or increase

 

Signature of

authorized

officer of

Trustee or

Custodian

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Fax No.: 904-645-1921

Attention: American Tire Trustee

 

Re:   9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2017

Reference is hereby made to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer

 

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is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
 

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                             

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:                    ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:                    ]), or

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

2. After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:

[CHECK ONE]

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:                    ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:                    ])or

 

  (iii) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note ([            ] [            ]); or

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

(c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Fax No.: 904-645-1921

Attention: American Tire Trustee

 

Re:   9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2017

Reference is hereby made to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for

 

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a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [    ] 144A Global Note [    ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
 

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, and Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a Senior Secured Notes Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 28, 2010, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 9.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2017;

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all other Guarantors named in the Indenture (including pursuant to any supplemental indentures), to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with

 

D-1


respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer or any other Guarantor, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

(c) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby waives: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations applicable to a Guarantor under the Indenture, including Article 10 of the Indenture (which is deemed incorporated in this Supplemental Indenture and applicable to this Guarantee). The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that by executing this Supplemental Indenture, it shall become a Guarantor under the Indenture and subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Guarantors contained therein.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, or similar limitation, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee shall not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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(l) This Guarantee shall be a general secured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guaranteeing Subsidiary or the Issuer.

(5) Releases. The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, after which the applicable Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guaranteeing Subsidiary would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 in the Indenture);

(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or

(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

D-5


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF INTERCOMPANY SUBORDINATED NOTE

New York, New York

[            ], 2010

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned, to the extent a borrower from time to time from any other entity listed on the signature page hereto (each, in such capacity, a “Payor”), hereby promises to pay on demand to the order of such other entity listed below (each, in such capacity, a “Payee”), in lawful money of the United States of America, or in such other currency as agreed to by such Payor and such Payee, in immediately available funds, at such location as a Payee shall from time to time designate, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances (including trade payables) made by such Payee to such Payor. Each Payor promises also to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of all such loans and advances in like money at said location from the date of such loans and advances until paid at such rate per annum as shall be agreed upon from time to time by such Payor and such Payee.

Reference is made to (i) that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010 (as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), each subsidiary of the Company from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as administrative and collateral agent (together with its successors in such capacity, the “Agent” for various financial institutions (“Lenders”), such Lender, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Co-Collateral Agent, and the other parties thereto, (ii) that certain Senior Secured Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”) by and among the Company, Holdings, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., a California corporation, each other Guarantor party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, and in its capacity as noteholder collateral agent, (together with its successors in such capacity, the “Noteholder Collateral Agent”), and (iii) that certain Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement dated as of May 28, 2010 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among Agent, Noteholder Collateral Agent and the Initial Grantors. Capitalized terms used in this intercompany promissory note (this “Note”) but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Intercreditor Agreement.

This Note shall be pledged by each Payee that is a Loan Party (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (i) to the Noteholder Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Noteholder Lien Secured Parties, pursuant to the Noteholder Lien Documents as collateral security for the full and prompt payment when due of, and the performance of, such Payee’s Noteholder Lien Debt and (ii) to the ABL Agent, for the benefit of the ABL Secured Parties, pursuant to the ABL Security Documents as collateral security for the full and prompt payment when due of, and the performance of, such Payee’s ABL Debt Obligations. Each Payee hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default under and as defined in the Noteholder Lien Documents, but subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Noteholder Collateral Agent may, in addition to the other rights and remedies provided pursuant to the Noteholder Lien Documents and otherwise available to it, exercise all rights of the Loan Party Payees with respect to this Note and (ii) after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default under and as defined in the Credit Agreement, but subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the ABL Agent may, in addition to the other rights and remedies provided pursuant to the ABL Security Documents and otherwise available to it, exercise all rights of the Loan Party Payees with respect to this Note.

 

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Anything in this Note to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is a Loan Party to any Payee shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to all Senior Secured Obligations of such Payor to the ABL Secured Parties until the Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and to all Senior Secured Obligations of such Payor to the Noteholder Lien Secured Parties until the Termination Date (as defined in that certain Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, each Grantor from time to time party thereto and the Noteholder Collateral Agent); provided that each Payor may make payments to the applicable Payee so long as no Event of Default under and as defined in either the Credit Agreement or the Noteholder Lien Documents shall have occurred and be continuing (such Obligations and other indebtedness and obligations in connection with any renewal, refunding, restructuring or refinancing thereof, including interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any proceedings referred to in clause (i) below, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in such proceeding, being hereinafter collectively referred to as “Senior Indebtedness”):

(i) In the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in connection therewith, relative to any Payor or to its property, and in the event of any proceedings for voluntary liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of such Payor (except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement and the Noteholder Lien Documents), whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, then, if an Event of Default (as defined in either the Credit Agreement or the Noteholder Lien Documents) has occurred and is continuing (x) the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be irrevocably paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than Hedging Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Treasury Services Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or contingent indemnification obligations) before any Payee is entitled to receive (whether directly or indirectly), or make any demands for, any payment on account of this Note and (y) until the holders of Senior Indebtedness are irrevocably paid in full in cash in respect of all amounts constituting Senior Indebtedness (other than Hedging Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Treasury Services Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or contingent indemnification obligations), any payment or distribution to which such Payee would otherwise be entitled (other than debt securities of such Payor that are subordinated, to at least the same extent as this Note, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding (such securities being hereinafter referred to as “Restructured Debt Securities”)) shall be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness;

(ii) if any Event of Default (as under and defined in either the Credit Agreement or the Noteholder Lien Documents) occurs and is continuing, then no payment or distribution of any kind or character shall be made by or on behalf of the Payor or any other Person on its behalf with respect to this Note;

(iii) if any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than Restructured Debt Securities), in respect of this Note shall (despite these subordination provisions) be received by any Payee in violation of clause (i) or (ii) before all Senior Indebtedness shall have been irrevocably paid in full in cash (other than Hedging Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Treasury Services Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or contingent indemnification obligations), such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered in accordance with the Security Documents, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

(iv) Each Payor agrees to file all claims against each relevant Payee in any bankruptcy or other proceeding in which the filing of claims is required by law in respect of any Senior Indebtedness, and the Noteholder Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent (together, the “Collateral Agents”) shall be entitled to all of such Payor’s rights thereunder. If for any reason a Payor fails to file such claim at least ten (10) days prior to the last date on which such claim should be filed, such Payor hereby irrevocably appoints each Collateral Agent as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and each Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to

 

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act as attorney-in-fact in such Payor’s name to file such claim or, in such Collateral Agent’s discretion, to assign such claim to and cause proof of claim to be filed in the name of such Collateral Agent or its nominee. In all such cases, whether in administration, bankruptcy or otherwise, the person or persons authorized to pay such claim shall pay to the applicable Collateral Agent the full amount payable on the claim in the proceeding, and, to the full extent necessary for that purpose, each Payor hereby assigns to each of the Collateral Agents all of such Payor’s rights to any payments or distributions to which such Payor otherwise would be entitled. If the amount so paid is greater than such Payor’s liability hereunder, the Collateral Agents shall pay the excess amount to the party entitled thereto under the Intercreditor Agreement and applicable law. In addition, each Payor hereby irrevocably appoints each Collateral Agent as its attorney-in-fact to exercise all of such Payor’s voting rights in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or any plan for the reorganization of each relevant Payee.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, no present or future holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in its right to enforce the subordination of this Note by any act or failure to act on the part of any Payor or Payee or by any act or failure to act on the part of such holder or any trustee or agent for such holder. Each Payee and each Payor hereby agree that the subordination of this Note is for the benefit of each Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties. Each Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties are obligees under this Note to the same extent as if their names were written herein as such and each Collateral Agent may, on behalf of itself, and the Secured Parties, proceed to enforce the subordination provisions herein.

The indebtedness evidenced by this Note owed by any Payor that is not a Loan Party shall not be subordinated to, and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with, any other obligation of such Payor.

Nothing contained in the subordination provisions set forth above is intended to or will impair, as between each Payor and each Payee, the obligations of such Payor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Payee the principal of and interest on this Note as and when due and payable in accordance with its terms, or is intended to or will affect the relative rights of such Payee and other creditors of such Payor other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Each Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances made by it to any Payor (all of which shall be evidenced by this Note), and all repayments or prepayments thereof, in its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

Each Payor hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note. All payments under this Note shall be made without offset, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

It is understood that this Note shall not evidence indebtedness in respect of accounts payable incurred in connection with goods sold or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money.

This Note shall be binding upon each Payor and its successors and assigns, and the terms and provisions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of each Payee and their respective successors and assigns, including subsequent holders hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any Secured Document or in any other promissory note or other instrument, this Note replaces and supersedes any and all promissory notes or other instruments which create or evidence any loans or advances made on, before or after the date hereof by any Payee to any other Subsidiary.

From time to time after the date hereof, additional Subsidiaries of the Company may become parties hereto (as Payor and/or Payee, as the case may be) by executing a counterpart signature page to this Note

 

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(each additional Subsidiary, an “Additional Party”). Upon delivery of such counterpart signature page to the Payees, notice of which is hereby waived by the other Payors, each Additional Party shall be a Payor and/or a Payee, as the case may be, and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Additional Party were an original signatory hereof. Each Payor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Payor or Payee hereunder. This Note shall be fully effective as to any Payor or Payee that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Payor or Payee hereunder.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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TIRE PROS FRANCORP
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF MORTGAGE]

FIRST MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT

(Collateral is or includes fixtures)

(To be filed in Real Property Records)

dated as of [As of Date]

by

[MORTGAGOR NAME], as Mortgagor,

to

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to herein, as Mortgagee

 

  Property:  

 

  
   

 

  
   

 

  

This Instrument was prepared by the Attorney named below

[in consultation with counsel in the State in which the Property is located]

and, when recorded, recorded counterparts should be returned to:

[Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson LLP

One New York Plaza

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Ann Tyson]

THIS INSTRUMENT CONTAINS AFTER-ACQUIRED PROPERTY PROVISIONS AND SECURES OBLIGATIONS CONTAINING PROVISIONS FOR CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page

ARTICLE 1     DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   1

Section 1.01     Definitions.

   1

Section 1.02     Other Definitions.

   38

Section 1.03     Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

   39

Section 1.04     Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

   39

Section 1.05     Acts of Holders.

   40

ARTICLE 2     THE SECURED NOTES

   41

Section 2.01     Form and Dating; Terms.

   41

Section 2.02     Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

   42

Section 2.03     Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. The Issuer or any of its domestic Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

   43

Section 2.04     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

   43

Section 2.05     Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

   44

Section 2.06     Transfer and Exchange.

   44

Section 2.07     Replacement Note. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer, and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

   54

 

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Section 2.08     Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

   55

Section 2.09     Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.

   55

Section 2.10     Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

   55

Section 2.11     Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposal of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer upon its request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

   55

Section 2.12     Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

   56

Section 2.13     CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

   56

 

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ARTICLE 3     REDEMPTION

   56

Section 3.01     Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof (or such shorter time as agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. This notice may be revoked prior to the date notice is mailed to the Holders.

   56

Section 3.02     Selection of Notes to be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Notes are listed on an exchange, in compliance with the requirements of such exchange or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or, if the pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem appropriate. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

   57

Section 3.03     Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or mail or caused to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.07 hereof, notices of redemption may not be conditional.

   57

Section 3.04     Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date, unless such redemption is conditioned on the happening of a future event, at the redemption price. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

   58

Section 3.05     Deposit of Redemption Price.

   58

Section 3.06     Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

   58

Section 3.07     Optional Redemption.

   59

Section 3.08     Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

   59

Section 3.09     Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

   59

ARTICLE 4     COVENANTS

   61

Section 4.01     Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

   61

Section 4.02     Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

   62

 

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Section 4.03     Reports and Other Information.

   62

Section 4.04     Compliance Certificate.

   63

Section 4.05     Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

   64

Section 4.06     Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

   64

Section 4.07     Limitation on Restricted Payments.

   64

Section 4.08     Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

   72

Section 4.09     Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

   74

Section 4.10     Asset Sales.

   80

Section 4.11     Transactions with Affiliates.

   82

Section 4.12     Liens. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, in each such case to the extent such asset, property, income or profits constitute Collateral, except that, other than as provided in the next paragraph, the foregoing shall not apply to (A) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees (and the Exchange Notes and the related guarantees in respect thereof) and (B) (i) Permitted Liens, (ii) Liens securing (x) Indebtedness and other Obligations permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (y) obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligations provided by any arranger, agent or lender party to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such arranger, agent or lender (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products or Hedging Obligations are provided or were entered into); provided, however, that this subclause (B)(ii) shall not permit simultaneous first-priority Liens in respect of such Indebtedness on both the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral and (iii) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under this subclause (B)(iii), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

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Section 4.13     Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its company existence (for the avoidance of doubt the Issuer may convert into a limited liability company; provided that there is a corporate co-issuer entity), and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

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Section 4.14     Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Security Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:

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Section 4.15     Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign Subsidiary (except any Foreign Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer under the ABL Facility or capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor) or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

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Section 4.16     Impairment of Security Interests; Further Assurances.

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Section 4.17     After-Acquired Property. Promptly following the acquisition by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations, if applicable, described in Article 13 and the Collateral Documents), the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, financing statements and, in the case of interests in real property, certificates and opinions of counsel, as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Notes Collateral Agent a perfected security interest in such After-Acquired Property and to have such After-Acquired Property added to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, shall be deemed to relate to such After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

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Section 4.18     Insurance. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (a) insurance in such amounts and against such risks, as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated companies) and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents (and shall cause the Notes Collateral Agent to be listed as a lenders’ loss payee (together with any other lenders’ loss payee in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreements) on property and casualty policies covering loss or damage to Collateral and as an additional insured on liability policies). The Issuer shall furnish to the Notes Collateral Agent, upon request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained. The Issuer shall name the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies and as an additional insured as its interests may appear on the liability policies listed in this Section 4.18.

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Section 4.19     Payment for Consent. Neither the Issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any cash consideration to any Holder for any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered and is paid to all Holders that are QIBs that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

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ARTICLE 5     SUCCESSORS

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Section 5.01     Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

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Section 5.02     Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

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ARTICLE 6     DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

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Section 6.01     Events of Default.

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Section 6.02     Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than a type specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

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Section 6.03     Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

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Section 6.04     Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

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Section 6.05     Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

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Section 6.06     Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

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Section 6.07     Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

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Section 6.08     Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

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Section 6.09     Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

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Section 6.10     Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

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Section 6.11     Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

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Section 6.12     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

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Section 6.13     Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6 or receives any money from the Notes Collateral Agent as the distribution of proceeds received upon realization of any Collateral, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

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Section 6.14     Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

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ARTICLE 7     TRUSTEE

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Section 7.01     Duties of Trustee.

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Section 7.02     Rights of Trustee.

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Section 7.03     Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

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Section 7.04     Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

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Section 7.05     Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

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Section 7.06     Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

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Section 7.07     Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

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Section 7.08     Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

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Section 7.09     Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

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Section 7.10     Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

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Section 7.11     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

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ARTICLE 8     LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

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Section 8.01     Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

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Section 8.02     Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees, the Collateral released and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

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Section 8.03     Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof, clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) and Article 13 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(g) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

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Section 8.04     Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

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Section 8.05     Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

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Section 8.06     Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

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Section 8.07     Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

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ARTICLE 9     AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

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Section 9.01     Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

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Section 9.02     With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

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Section 9.03     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies in all material respects with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

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Section 9.04     Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

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Section 9.05     Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

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Section 9.06     Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) for the Trustee to execute any a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

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ARTICLE 10   GUARANTEES

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Section 10.01  Guarantee. Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

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Section 10.02  Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation, for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, or similar limitation, under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

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Section 10.03  Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President or Treasurer, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents.

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Section 10.04  Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

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Section 10.05  Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

   111

Section 10.06  Release of Guarantees by Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

   111

Section 10.07  Release of Guarantee by Holdings. The Guarantee by Holdings shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

   112

ARTICLE 11   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

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Section 11.01  Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

   112

Section 11.02  Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

   113

ARTICLE 12   MISCELLANEOUS

   113

Section 12.01  Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

   113

Section 12.02  Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

   113

Section 12.03  Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

   114

Section 12.04  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

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Section 12.05  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

   115

Section 12.06  Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

   115

Section 12.07  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

   115

Section 12.08  Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

   115

Section 12.09  Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

   115

Section 12.10  Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

   115

Section 12.11  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

   116

Section 12.12  Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 or Section 10.07 hereof.

   116

Section 12.13  Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

   116

Section 12.14  Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.

   116

Section 12.15  Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

   116

Section 12.16  Qualification of Indenture. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be provided with such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as is necessary in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

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ARTICLE 13   COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS

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Section 13.01  Collateral and Collateral Documents.

   116

Section 13.02  Recordings and Opinions. The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of § 314(b) of the Trust Indenture Act following qualification of this Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, except to the extent not required as set forth in any SEC regulation or interpretation (including any no-action letter issued by the Staff of the SEC, whether issued to the Issuer or any other Person), subject to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. Following such qualification, to the extent the Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 314(b)(2), the Issuer shall furnish such opinion as required by such Section.

   118

Section 13.03  Release of Collateral.

   118

Section 13.04  Permitted Releases Not To Impair Lien; Trust Indenture Act Requirements.

   120

Section 13.05  Certificates of the Trustee. In the event that the Issuer wishes to release Collateral in accordance with this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and the Issuer has delivered the certificates and documents required by the Collateral Documents and Section 13.03 hereof, if § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is applicable to such releases (the applicability of which shall be established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.04 hereof or otherwise), the Trustee shall determine whether it has received all documentation required by § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act in connection with such release (which determination may be based upon the Opinion of Counsel hereafter described) and, based on an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof, shall deliver a certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent setting forth such determination. The Trustee, however, shall have no duty to confirm the legality, genuineness, accuracy, contents or validity of such documents (or any signature appearing therein), its sole duty being to certify its receipt of such documents which, on their face (and assuming that they are what they purport to be), conform to § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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Section 13.06  Suits To Protect the Collateral. Subject to the provisions of Article 7 hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Holders, on behalf of the Holders, may direct the Notes Collateral Agent to take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to:

   120

Section 13.07  Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Collateral Documents. Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Collateral Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture.

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Section 13.08  Purchaser Protected. In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article 13 to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

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Section 13.09  Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee. In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article 13 upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article 13; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.

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Section 13.10  Release Upon Termination of the Issuer’s Obligations. In the event that the Issuer delivers to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to it, an Officer’s Certificate certifying that (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all of the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with respect thereto, that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any), are paid or (ii) the Issuer shall have exercised its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 8, or its satisfaction and discharge option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 11 hereof, in each case with respect to all of the Notes, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent a notice stating that the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, disclaims and gives up any and all rights it has in or to the Collateral (other than with respect to funds held by the Trustee pursuant to Article 8 and Article 11), and any rights it has under the Collateral Documents, and upon receipt by the Notes Collateral Agent of such notice, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to hold a Lien in the Collateral on behalf of the Trustee and shall do or cause to be done all acts reasonably necessary at the Issuer’s cost to release such Lien as soon as is reasonably practicable.

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Section 13.11  Notes Collateral Agent.

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Section 13.12  Designations. Except as provided in the next sentence, for purposes of the provisions hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements requiring the Issuer to designate Indebtedness for the purposes of the term “ABL Lenders Debt” or any other such designations hereunder or under the Intercreditor Agreements, any such designation shall be sufficient if the relevant designation is set forth in writing, signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent. For all purposes hereof and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Issuer hereby designates the Obligations pursuant to the ABL Facility as “ABL Lenders Debt.”

   124

Section 13.13  Additional Collateral.

   124

ARTICLE 1     DEFINITIONS

   22

Section 1.01     Definitions. Terms used herein without definition which are defined in the introductory section thereof or in the Indenture or the Collateral Agency Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth therein, as applicable. The following additional terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

   22

Section 1.02     Interpretation. As used in this Mortgage, the singular shall include the plural as the context requires and the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: (i) “including” shall mean “including but not limited to”; (ii) “provisions” shall mean “provisions, terms, covenants and/or conditions”; (iii) “lien” shall mean “lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, mortgage, deed of trust”; (iv) “obligation” shall mean “obligation, duty, covenant and/or condition”; and (v) “any of the Encumbered Property” shall mean “the Encumbered Property or any part thereof or interest therein.” Any act that the Mortgagee is permitted to perform hereunder may be performed at any time and from time to time by the Mortgagee or any person or entity designated by the Mortgagee. Any act which is prohibited to the Mortgagor hereunder is also prohibited to all lessees of any of the Encumbered Property. Each appointment of the Mortgagee as attorney-in-fact for the Mortgagor under this Mortgage is irrevocable, with power of substitution and coupled with an interest. Subject to the applicable provisions hereof, the Mortgagee has the right to refuse to grant its consent, approval or acceptance or to indicate its satisfaction, in its sole discretion, whenever such consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction is required hereunder.

   26

ARTICLE 2     CONVEYANCE OF ENCUMBERED PROPERTY

   27

Section 2.01     Grant. To secure the full and punctual payment of the Finance Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof (including the performance of all of the obligations of the Mortgagor hereunder), the Mortgagor hereby grants, bargains, sells, transfers, sets over, assigns and conveys as security, grants a security interest in, hypothecates, mortgages, pledges and sets over to the Mortgagee, the Encumbered Property, subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances.

   27

ARTICLE 3     REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE MORTGAGOR

   27

Section 3.01     Title.

   27

Section 3.02     [Reserved]

   28

Section 3.03     [Reserved]

   28

Section 3.04     [Reserved]

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Section 3.05     [Reserved]

   28

Section 3.06     [Reserved]

   28

Section 3.07     Finance Documents.

   28

Section 3.08     Payment of Taxes, Liens and Charges.

   28

Section 3.09     Payment of Closing Costs. The Mortgagor shall pay all reasonable costs in connection with, relating to or arising out of the preparation, execution and recording of this Mortgage, including title company premiums and charges, survey costs, recording fees and taxes, attorneys’ fees and disbursements, and all other similar expenses of every kind.

   29

Section 3.10     [Reserved]

   29

 

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Section 3.11     Insurance. The Mortgagor will keep the Encumbered Property insured against such risks in the manner required by the other Finance Documents.

   29

Section 3.12     Casualty; Restoration of Casualty Damage. The Mortgagor shall give the Mortgagee prompt written notice of any fire or other casualty to all or any material portion of the Encumbered Property (a “Casualty”). In the event of a Casualty, the Net Cash Proceeds with respect to any such Casualty shall be paid and applied in accordance with the Finance Documents.

   29

Section 3.13     Condemnation/Eminent Domain. The Mortgagor shall notify the Mortgagee promptly upon obtaining knowledge of any pending or threatened condemnation or taking of all or any material portion of the Encumbered Property (a “Condemnation”). In the event of a Condemnation, all Net Cash Proceeds shall be paid and applied in accordance with the Finance Documents.

   30

Section 3.14     Assignment of Leases and Rents.

   30

Section 3.15     Restrictions on Transfers and Encumbrances. Except as permitted hereby or by the Finance Documents, the Mortgagor shall not directly or indirectly sell, convey, alienate, mortgage, pledge, encumber or create, consent to or suffer the creation of any lien or charge upon any interest in or any part of the Encumbered Property.

   31

Section 3.16     Security Agreement. This Mortgage is both a mortgage and grant of real property and a grant of a security interest in personal property, and shall constitute and serve as a “security agreement” within the meaning of the UCC. The Mortgagor hereby grants unto the Mortgagee for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in and to all the Encumbered Property described in this Mortgage that is not real property, and substantially contemporaneously with the recording of this Mortgage, the Mortgagor has filed or will file UCC financing statements, and will file continuation statements prior to the lapse thereof, at the appropriate offices in the state in which the Premises are located and otherwise may be required or advisable to perfect the security interest granted by this Mortgage in all the Encumbered Property that is not real property. The Mortgagor hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for the Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute any document and to file the same in the appropriate offices (to the extent it may lawfully do so), and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done to perfect the security interest hereby granted. The Mortgagee shall have all rights with respect to the part of the Encumbered Property that is the subject of a security interest afforded by the UCC in addition to, but not in limitation of, the other rights afforded the Mortgagee hereunder. The Mortgagor agrees, to the extent permitted by law, that: (i) all of the goods described within the definition of the word “Personal Property” are or are to become fixtures on the Land; (ii) this Mortgage upon recording or registration in the real estate records of the proper office shall constitute a financing statement filed as a “fixture filing” within the meaning of Section 9-502(c) of the UCC; (iii) the Mortgagor is the record owner of the Premises; and (iv) the addresses of Mortgagor and Mortgagee are as set forth in Section 5.02 of this Mortgage. Additionally, this Mortgage shall constitute a financing statement covering fixtures and/or minerals or the like (including oil and gas) and/or accounts resulting from the sale thereof at the wellhead or minehead and, as such, shall be filed for record in the real estate records of each county in which the Land, or any part thereof, is located.

   31

Section 3.17     Filing and Recording. The Mortgagor will cause this Mortgage, any other security instrument creating a security interest in or evidencing the lien hereof upon the Encumbered Property and each instrument of further assurance to be filed, registered or recorded in such manner and in such places as may be required by any present or future law in order to publish notice of and to protect fully the liens and security interests of the Mortgagee hereby granted in and upon the Encumbered Property. The Mortgagor will pay all filing, registration or recording fees, and all expenses incidental to the execution and acknowledgment of this Mortgage, any mortgage supplemental hereto, any security instrument with respect to the Encumbered Property, and any instrument of further assurance and all Federal, state, county and municipal recording, documentary or intangible taxes and other taxes, duties, imposts, assessments and charges arising out of or in connection with the execution, delivery and recording of this Mortgage, any mortgage supplemental hereto, any security instrument with respect to the Encumbered Property or any instrument of further assurance.

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Section 3.18     Further Assurances. Upon demand by the Mortgagee, the Mortgagor will, at the sole cost of the Mortgagor and without expense to the Mortgagee, do, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further acts, deeds, conveyances, deeds of trust, assignments, notices of assignment, transfers and assurances as the Mortgagee shall from time to time reasonably require as necessary for the assuring, conveying, assigning, transferring and confirming unto the Mortgagee the property and rights hereby conveyed or assigned or intended now or hereafter so to be, or which the Mortgagor may be or may hereafter become bound to convey or assign to the Mortgagee, or for carrying out the intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of this Mortgage, or for filing, registering or recording this Mortgage, and on demand, the Mortgagor will also execute and deliver and hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for the Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute and file to the extent it may lawfully do so, one or more financing statements, chattel mortgages or comparable security instruments reasonably required by the Mortgagee to evidence or perfect the liens and security interests hereby granted and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done to accomplish the same.

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Section 3.19     Additions to Encumbered Property. All right, title and interest of the Mortgagor in and to all extensions, improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutes and replacements of, and all additions and appurtenances to, the Encumbered Property hereafter acquired by or released to the Mortgagor or constructed, assembled or placed by the Mortgagor upon the Premises or the Improvements, and all conversions of the security constituted thereby, immediately upon such acquisition, release, construction, assembling, placement or conversion, as the case may be, and in each such case without any further mortgage, conveyance, assignment or other act by the Mortgagor, shall become subject to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage as fully and completely and with the same effect as though now owned by the Mortgagor and specifically described in the grant of the Encumbered Property above, but at any and all times the Mortgagor will execute and deliver to the Mortgagee any and all such further assurances, mortgages, conveyances or assignments thereof as the Mortgagee may reasonably require for the purpose of expressly and specifically subjecting the same to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage.

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Section 3.20     No Claims Against the Mortgagee. Nothing contained in this Mortgage shall constitute any consent or request by the Mortgagee, express or implied, for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Encumbered Property or any part thereof, nor as giving the Mortgagor any right, power or authority to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against the Mortgagee in respect thereof

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Section 3.21     Environmental.

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ARTICLE 4     DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   34

Section 4.01     Events of Default. It shall be an Event of Default under this Mortgage if any Event of Default shall exist under any Finance Document.

   34

Section 4.02     Demand for Payment. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, in addition to any other rights and remedies the Mortgagee may have pursuant to the Finance Documents, or as provided at law or in equity, and without limitation, the Finance Obligations and all other amounts payable with respect to the Notes, the Indenture, this Mortgage and all other Finance Documents shall become due and payable as provided therein. The Mortgagor shall pay to the Mortgagee within the time period set forth in the Finance Documents (or if no time period is specified therein, promptly after written demand by Mortgagee) all such amounts and such further amounts as shall be reasonably incurred (without regard to statutory presumption) to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by the Mortgagee. The Mortgagor hereby waives notice of presentment, demand, protest, acceleration and notice of acceleration to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. In case the Finance Parties shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts or any amounts due under the Finance Documents or any provision of this Mortgage within the time period set forth in the Finance Documents (or if no time period is specified therein, promptly after written demand by Mortgagee), the Mortgagee, in addition to any other rights or remedies provided herein or at law or equity, shall be entitled and empowered to institute an action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, to prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, to enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Mortgagor and to collect, in any manner provided by law, all moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

   34

Section 4.03     Rights to Take Possession, Operate and Apply Revenues.

   34

Section 4.04     Right to Cure the Mortgagor’s Failure to Perform. During the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice to Mortgagor, should the Mortgagor fail in the payment, performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition required by this Mortgage or any other Finance Document (with respect to the Encumbered Property), the Mortgagee may pay, perform or observe the same, and all payments made or costs or expenses incurred by the Mortgagee in connection therewith shall be secured hereby and shall be, without demand, immediately repaid by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Default Rate. The Mortgagee shall make the determination as to the necessity for any such actions and of the amounts to be paid. The Mortgagee is hereby empowered to enter and to authorize others to enter upon the Premises or the Improvements or any part thereof for the purpose of performing or observing any such defaulted term, covenant or condition without having any obligation to so perform or observe and without thereby becoming liable to the Mortgagor, to any person in possession holding under the Mortgagor or to any other person.

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Section 4.05     Right to a Receiver. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee, upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver to take possession of and to operate the Encumbered Property and to collect and apply the Rents. The Mortgagor hereby consents to such appointment and acknowledges and agrees that the Mortgagee shall be entitled to such appointment without notice and without regard for the adequacy of security for the Finance Obligations or the solvency of the Mortgagor or any party liable for the Finance Obligations. The receiver shall have all of the rights and powers permitted under the laws of the state wherein the Encumbered Property is located. The Mortgagor will pay to the Mortgagee upon demand all expenses, including receiver’s fees, attorneys’ fees and disbursements that are actually incurred (not as imposed by statute), costs and agent’s compensation incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.05; and all such expenses shall be secured by this Mortgage and shall be, without demand, immediately repaid by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Default Rate.

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Section 4.06     Foreclosure and Sale.

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Section 4.07     Other Remedies.

   36

Section 4.08     Application of Sale of Proceeds and Rents.

   37

Section 4.09     The Mortgagor as Tenant Holding Over. If the Mortgagor remains in possession of any of the Encumbered Property after any foreclosure sale by the Mortgagee, at the Mortgagee’s election the Mortgagor shall be deemed a tenant holding over and shall forthwith surrender possession to the purchaser or purchasers at such sale or be summarily dispossessed or evicted according to provisions of law applicable to tenants holding over.

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Section 4.10     Waiver of Appraisement, Valuation, Stay, Extension and Redemption Laws.

   37

Section 4.11     Discontinuance of Proceedings. In case the Mortgagee shall proceed to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall be discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall be determined adversely to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, powers and remedies of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceeding had been taken.

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Section 4.12     Suits to Protect the Encumbered Property. The Mortgagee shall have power (i) to institute and maintain suits and proceedings to prevent any impairment of the Encumbered Property by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of this Mortgage, (ii) to preserve or protect its interest in the Encumbered Property and in the Rents arising therefrom and (iii) to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislation or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of or compliance with such enactment, rule or order would impair the security or be prejudicial to the interest of the Mortgagee hereunder.

   38

Section 4.13     Filing Proofs of Claim. In case of any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other proceedings affecting the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Mortgagee allowed in such proceedings for the Finance Obligations secured by this Mortgage at the date of the institution of such proceedings and for any interest accrued, late charges and additional interest or other amounts due or that may become due and payable hereunder after such date.

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Section 4.14     Possession by the Mortgagee. Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Mortgagor, any of its property or the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee shall be entitled, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, to remain in possession and control of all parts of the Encumbered Property now or hereafter granted under this Mortgage in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable law.

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Section 4.15     Waiver.

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Section 4.16     Remedies Cumulative. No right, power or remedy conferred upon or reserved to the Mortgagee by this Mortgage is intended to be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy, and each and every such right, power and remedy shall be cumulative and concurrent and in addition to any other right, power and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

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ARTICLE 5     MISCELLANEOUS

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Section 5.01     Partial Invalidity. If any provision hereof or of any of the other Finance Documents is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances, the other provisions hereof or of those Finance Documents shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and the remaining provisions hereof will be liberally construed in favor of the Mortgagee in order to carry out the provisions hereof and of such other Finance Documents. The invalidity of any provision of this Mortgage in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances will not affect the validity or enforceability of any such provision in any other jurisdiction or under any other circumstances. If any lien, encumbrance or security interest evidenced or created by this Mortgage is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, as to any part of the Finance Obligations, or is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, as to any part of the Encumbered Property, such portion, if any, of the Finance Obligations as is not secured by all of the Encumbered Property hereunder shall be paid prior to the payment of the portion of the Finance Obligations and shall, unless prohibited by applicable laws or unless Mortgagee, in its sole and absolute discretion, otherwise elects, be deemed to have been first paid on and applied to payment in full of the unsecured or partially secured portion of the Finance Obligations, and the remainder to the secured portion of the Finance Obligations.

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Section 5.02     Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, demands, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including bank wire, telex, facsimile transmission or similar writing) and shall be given to such party (i) at its address set forth below or (ii) such other facsimile number or telex number such other address, facsimile number or telex number as the party entitled to such notice shall have specified by at least ten days’ prior notice given to the other parties in the manner provided herein.

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Section 5.03     Successors and Assigns. The Mortgagee shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights under this Mortgage without limitation. Any assignee or transferee shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded the Mortgagee under this Mortgage.

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Section 5.04     Satisfaction and Cancellation.

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Section 5.05     Other Finance Documents. The Mortgagor acknowledges that in addition to this Mortgage, other Finance Documents secure the Finance Obligations. The Mortgagor agrees that the lien of this Mortgage shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not in any manner be affected or impaired by any acts or omissions whatsoever of the Mortgagee and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the lien hereof shall not be impaired by any acceptance by the Mortgagee of any security for or guarantees of any of the Finance Obligations hereby secured, or by any failure, neglect or omission on the part of the Mortgagee to realize upon or protect any Finance Obligation hereby secured or any collateral security therefor including the other Finance Documents. The lien hereof shall not in any manner be impaired or affected by any release (except as to the property released), sale, pledge, surrender, compromise, settlement, renewal, extension, indulgence, alteration, changing, modification or disposition of any of the Finance Obligations or of any of the collateral security therefor, including the other Finance Documents or of any guarantee thereof, and the Mortgagee may at its discretion foreclose, exercise any power of sale, or exercise any other remedy available to it under any or all of the other Finance Documents without first exercising or enforcing any of its rights and remedies hereunder. Such exercise of the Mortgagee’s rights and remedies under any or all of the other Finance Documents shall not in any manner impair the Finance Obligations or the lien of this Mortgage and any exercise of the rights or remedies of the Mortgagee hereunder shall not impair the lien of any of the other Finance Documents or any of the Mortgagee’s rights and remedies thereunder. The undersigned specifically consents and agrees that the Mortgagee may exercise its rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Finance Documents separately or concurrently and in any order that it may deem appropriate, and the undersigned waives any rights of subrogation. In the event of a conflict between the terms and provisions of this Mortgage and any other Finance Document, both documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of a conflict that cannot be resolved, the terms and provisions of the Indenture or the Security Agreement shall control and govern irrespective of the provisions of this Mortgage.

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Section 5.06     Subrogation. This Mortgage is made with full substitution and subrogation of Mortgagee in and to all covenants and warranties by others heretofore given or made in respect of the Encumbered Property or any part thereof. To the extent that proceeds of the Finance Obligations are used to pay any outstanding lien, charge or prior encumbrance against the Encumbered Property, such proceeds have been or will be advanced by Mortgagee at Mortgagor’s request, and Mortgagee shall be subrogated to any and all rights and liens held by any owner or holder of such outstanding liens, charges and prior encumbrances, irrespective of whether those liens, charges or encumbrances are released.

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Section 5.07     Mortgagee Powers. Without affecting the liability of any other Person liable for the payment of any obligations herein mentioned and without affecting the lien or charge of this Mortgage upon any portion of the Encumbered Property not then or theretofore released as security for the full amount of all unpaid Finance Obligations, from time to time, regardless of consideration and without notice to or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien, encumbrance, right, title or interest in or to the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee may in accordance with the express terms and provisions of the Finance Documents (i) release any persons liable for or on any Finance Obligation, (ii) extend the maturity or alter any of the terms of any Finance Obligation, (iii) modify the interest rate payable on the principal balance of the Finance Obligations, (iv) grant other indulgences, (v) release or reconvey, or cause to be released or reconveyed at any time at the Mortgagee’s option any parcel, portion or all of the Encumbered Property, (vi) take or release any other or additional security for any obligations herein mentioned or (vii) make compositions or other arrangements with debtors in relation thereto.

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Section 5.08     Enforceability of Mortgage. This Mortgage is deemed to be and may be enforced from time to time as an assignment, chattel mortgage, contract, mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, financing statement, real estate mortgage or security agreement, and from time to time as any one or more thereof, as is appropriate under applicable laws. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Mortgage or any financing statement in connection herewith shall be sufficient as a financing statement for any and all purposes.

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Section 5.09     Amendments. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee. No failure by the Mortgagee to exercise, and no delay by the Mortgagee in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder 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 are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

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Section 5.10     Applicable Law. THIS MORTGAGE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE THE LAND IS LOCATED.

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Section 5.11     Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE MORTGAGOR AND THE MORTGAGEE (BY THE MORTGAGEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF THIS MORTGAGE AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE DELIVERY OF THE OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS) HEREBY AGREES NOT TO ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ISSUE TRIABLE OF RIGHT BY JURY, AND FOREVER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY FULLY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH RIGHT SHALL NOW OR HEREAFTER EXIST WITH REGARD TO THIS MORTGAGE, OR THE OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS, OR ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THIS WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS GIVEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY EACH OF THE MORTGAGOR AND THE MORTGAGEE, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS INDIVIDUALLY EACH INSTANCE AND EACH ISSUE AS TO WHICH THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE. EACH OF THE MORTGAGEE AND THE MORTGAGOR IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY THE OTHER PARTY.

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Section 5.12     Intercreditor Agreements. This Mortgage and any lien created herein are subject to the lien priority and other provisions set forth in the Intercreditor Agreements.

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Section 5.13     Local Law Provisions. By virtue of the fact that the Premises are located in the State of [                    ], the provisions set forth below shall be applicable to this Mortgage, and to the extent applicable, shall modify, affect and supplement the other provisions hereof. [To be added as necessary by Local Counsel.]

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Exhibits:

Exhibit A – Legal Description

Exhibit B – Permitted Encumbrances

Schedules:

Schedule 3.01(1) – Leases

 

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FIRST MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT

COLLATERAL IS OR INCLUDES FIXTURES

THIS FIRST MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, this “Mortgage”) is dated as of [As of Date] and is made by [MORTGAGOR NAME], a [State][Entity], as mortgagor, having an office at [Mortgagor Notice Address] (the “Mortgagor”), to THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined below), having an office at 10161 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (in such capacity, together with its successors, substitutes and assigns, the “Mortgagee”).

American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Issuer”), has entered into an Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time and including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing or otherwise amending, amending and restating or otherwise modifying or restructuring all or any portion of the obligations of the Issuer under such agreement or any successor agreement, the “Indenture”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (together with its successor or successors in each such capacity, the “Trustee”) for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes issued thereunder.

In connection with the Indenture, the Issuer and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer have entered into that certain Security Agreement dated as of May 28, 2010 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time the “Security Agreement”), pursuant to which Grantors (as defined therein) agreed to grant a continuing security interest to Mortgagee for the benefit of the Secured Parties in and to the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) to secure the Finance Obligations (as defined below). The Mortgagor is one of the Grantors and will receive not insubstantial benefits from the credit accommodations made and to be made by the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents. If furtherance of the above, the Mortgagor has agreed to mortgage, grant a lien on and a grant a security interest in the Encumbered Property to secure the Finance Obligations.

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. Terms used herein without definition which are defined in the introductory section thereof or in the Indenture or the Collateral Agency Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth therein, as applicable. The following additional terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Discharge of Finance Obligations” means, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 2.07 of the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, (i) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing on or after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not a claim for such interest is, or would be, allowed in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) and premium, if any, on all Indebtedness outstanding under the Finance Documents and termination of all commitments to lend or otherwise extend credit under the Finance Documents, (ii) payment in full in cash of all other Finance Obligations that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid (including legal

 

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fees and other expenses, costs or charges accruing on or after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not a claim for such fees, expenses, costs or charges is, or would be, allowed in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) and (iii) termination of all Secured Swap Obligations and the payment in full in cash of all matured obligations, and the cash collateralization (in an amount reasonably satisfactory to Mortgagee) of all unmatured obligations, under all Secured Swap Obligations.

Encumbered Property” means (but excludes any and all Excluded Assets (as defined in the Indenture):

(i) all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the parcel or parcels of land located in                      County,                             , as more particularly described on Exhibit A hereto (the “Land”), together with any after-acquired estate of the Mortgagor in the Land, and together with all rights appurtenant thereto, including without limitation, all strips and gores within or adjoining the Land, all estate, right, title, interest, claim or demand of the Mortgagor in the streets, roads, sidewalks, alleys and ways adjacent thereto (whether or not vacated and whether public or private and whether open or proposed), all easements over adjoining land granted by any easement agreements, covenants or restrictive agreements, all of the tenements, hereditaments, easements, reciprocal easement agreements, rights pursuant to any trackage agreement, rights to the use of common drive entries, rights-of-way and other rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any way pertaining thereto, all reversions, remainders, dower and right of dower, curtesy and right of curtesy, all of the air space and right to use air space above such property, all transferable development rights arising therefrom or transferred thereto, all water and water rights and water rights applications (whether riparian, littoral, appropriative or otherwise, and whether or not appurtenant), all pumps, pumping plants, pipes, flumes and ditches thereunto appertaining, all rights and ditches for irrigation, all utility rights, sewer rights, and shares of stock evidencing the same, all oil, gas and other minerals and mineral substances (which term shall include all gypsum, anhydrite, coal, lignite, hydrocarbon or other fossil materials or substances, fissionable materials or substances and all other minerals of any kind or character, whether gaseous, liquid or hard minerals, whether similar or dissimilar to those named, whether now or hereafter found to exist and whether associated with the surface or mineral estate) in, on or under the Land or produced, saved or severed from the Land, all mineral, mining, gravel, oil, gas, hydrocarbon rights and other rights to produce or share in the production of anything related to such property, all drainage, crop, timber, agricultural, and horticultural rights with respect to such property, and all other appurtenances appurtenant to such property, including without limitation, any now or hereafter belonging or in any way appertaining thereto, and all claims or demands of the Mortgagor, either at law or in equity, in possession or expectancy, now or hereafter acquired, of, in or to the same (the Land and all of the foregoing being sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Real Estate”);

(ii) all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to all buildings, improvements, fixtures and other structures or improvements of any kind now or hereafter erected or located upon the Land, including, but not limited to, all building materials, water, sanitary and storm sewers, drainage, electricity, steam, gas, telephone and other utility facilities, parking areas, roads, driveways, walks and other site improvements, together in each case with and all additions and betterments thereto and all renewals, substitutions and replacements thereof, owned or to be owned by the Mortgagor or in which the Mortgagor has or shall acquire an interest, to the extent of the Mortgagor’s interest therein, now or hereafter erected or located upon the Land (collectively, the “Improvements” and, together with the Real Estate the “Premises”);

 

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(iii) all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the following (collectively, the “Personal Property”):

(1) all personal property and fixtures of every kind and nature whatsoever which are now or hereafter located on, attached to, incorporated in (regardless of where located) or affixed to the Premises or the Improvements or used or useful in connection with the ownership, construction, maintenance, repair, reconstruction, alteration, addition, improvement, operation, mining, use or occupancy of the Premises or the Improvements, including, without limitation, all goods, inventory, construction materials, equipment, mining equipment, tools, tooling, furniture, furnishings, fittings, fixtures, supplies, computers and computer programs, carpeting, draperies, blinds, window treatments, racking and shelving systems, heating, lighting, plumbing, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigerating, incinerating and/or compacting plants, systems and equipment, elevators, escalators, appliances, stoves, ranges, refrigerators, vacuum, window washing and other cleaning and building service systems, call systems, sprinkler systems and other fire prevention and extinguishing apparatus and materials, cables, antennae, pipes, ducts, conduits, machinery, apparatus, motors, dynamos, engines, compressors, generators, boilers, stokers, furnaces, pumps, tanks, appliances, garbage systems and pest control systems and all of Mortgagor’s present and future “goods”, “equipment” and “fixtures” (as such terms are defined in the UCC) and other personal property, including without limitation any such personal property and fixtures which are leased, but expressly excluding any such leased personal property and fixtures whose further encumbrance is prohibited under the terms of its underlying lease, and all repairs, attachments, betterments, renewals, replacements, substitutions and accessions thereof and thereto;

(iv) to the extent assignable, all approvals, authorizations, building permits, certificates of occupancy, zoning variances, use permits, certifications, entitlements, exemptions, franchises, licenses, orders, variances, plat plan approvals, environmental approvals, air pollution permits and other authorizations to construct and to operate, sewer and waste discharge permits, national pollutant discharge elimination system permits, water permits, zoning and land use entitlements and all other permits, whether now existing or hereafter issued to or obtained by or on behalf of the Mortgagor, that relate to or concern in any way the Premises or the Improvements and are given or issued by any governmental or quasi-governmental authority, whether now existing or hereafter created (as the same may be amended, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, and including all substitutions and replacements therefor), all rights under and pursuant to all construction, service, engineering, consulting, management, access, supply, leasing, architectural and other similar contracts relating in any way to the design, construction, management, operation, occupancy and/or use of the Premises and Improvements, all rights under all purchase agreements, sales agreements, option contracts, land contracts and contracts for the sale of oil, gas and other minerals or any of them, that relate to or concern in any way the Premises or the Improvements, all abstracts of title, architectural, engineering or construction drawings, plans, specifications, operating manuals, computer programs, computer data, maps, surveys, soil tests, feasibility studies, appraisals, environmental studies, engineering reports and similar materials relating to any portion of or all of the Premises and Improvements, and all payment and performance bonds or warranties or guarantees relating to the Premises or the Improvements, all to the extent assignable (collectively, the “Permits, Plans and Contracts”);

(v) to the extent assignable, the Mortgagor’s interest in and rights under all leases, occupancy agreements or licenses (under which the Mortgagor is landlord or licensor) and subleases (under which the Mortgagor is sublandlord), concession, franchise, management,

 

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mineral or other agreements relating to the use or occupancy of the Premises or the Improvements or any part thereof for any purpose, or the extraction or taking of any gas, oil, water or other minerals from the Premises, whether now or hereafter existing or entered into (including any use or occupancy arrangements created pursuant to Section 365(d) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise in connection with the commencement or continuance of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, dissolution, receivership or similar proceedings, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors, in respect of any tenant or occupant of any portion of the Premises or the Improvements), and all guaranties thereof and all amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions or renewals thereof (collectively, the “Leases”), and all rents, issues, profits, revenues, charges, fees, receipts, royalties, proceeds from the sale of oil, gas and/or other minerals (whether gaseous, liquid or hard minerals, whether similar or dissimilar to those named and whether associated with the surface or mineral estate), accounts receivable, cash or security deposits and other deposits (subject to the prior right of the tenants making such deposits) and income, and other benefits now or hereafter derived from any portion of the Premises or the Improvements or the use or occupancy thereof (including any payments received pursuant to Section 502(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise in connection with the commencement or continuance of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, dissolution, receivership or similar proceedings, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors, in respect of any tenant or other occupants of any portion of the Premises or the Improvements and all claims as a creditor in connection with any of the foregoing) and all payments of a similar nature, now or hereafter, including during any period of redemption, derived from the Premises or the Improvements or any other portion of the Encumbered Property and all proceeds from the cancellation, surrender, sale or other disposition of the Leases (collectively, the “Rents”);

(vi) all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to all refunds or rebates of real and personal property taxes or charges in lieu of taxes, heretofore or now or hereafter assessed or levied against all or any of the Premises, the Improvements, the Personal Property, the Leases, the Rents and the Permits, Plans and Contracts, including interest thereon, and the right to receive the same, whether such refunds or rebates relate to fiscal periods before or during the term of this Mortgage;

(vii) all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to all insurance policies and the proceeds thereof, now or hereafter in effect with respect to all or any of the Premises, the Improvements, the Personal Property, the Leases, the Rents and the Permits, Plans and Contracts, and all unearned premiums and premium refunds, accrued, accruing or to accrue under such insurance policies, and subject to the terms and provisions of the Indenture all awards made for any taking of or damage to all or any of the Premises, the Improvements, the Personal Property, the Leases, the Rents and the Permits, Plans and Contracts by eminent domain, or by any purchase in lieu thereof, and all awards resulting from a change of grade of streets or for severance damages, and all other proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of all or any of the Premises, Improvements, the Personal Property, the Leases, the Rents and the Permits, Plans and Contracts, into cash or other liquidated claims, and all judgments, damages, awards, settlements and compensation (including interest thereon) heretofore or hereafter made to the present and all subsequent owners of the Premises, Improvements, the Personal Property, the Leases, the Rents and the Permits, Plans and Contracts, or any part thereof for any injury to or decrease in the value thereof for any reason; and

(viii) all accessions, additions or attachments to, and proceeds or products of, any of the foregoing.

 

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Event of Default” means one or more Events of Default, as such term is defined in any Finance Document.

Finance Documents” means the Indenture and the other Senior Secured Notes Documents (as defined in the Security Agreement).

Finance Obligations” means, at any date, any and all Secured Obligations (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) of any Finance Party under any Finance Document.

Finance Party” means, the Issuer and each other Grantor (as defined in the Security Agreement) now or hereafter obligated to the Secured Parties under any Finance Document, and “Finance Parties” means any two or more of them, collectively.

Impositions” shall mean all taxes, water rates, sewer rents, fees, assessments, levies, utility charges, insurance premiums payable on any insurance the Mortgagee is required to maintain hereunder, amounts required to be paid to obtain or renew permits and other similar charges (whether or not required by a governmental body) which are now or hereafter assessed, levied or imposed against the Encumbered Property (or any part thereof) or the Mortgagee’s interest therein and all water rates, sewer rents, ground rents, maintenance charges and other charges now or hereafter assessed, levied or imposed against the Encumbered Property (or any part thereof) or the Mortgagee’s interest therein or incurred in the ownership, operation, occupancy, maintenance and use of the Encumbered Property.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means (i) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Debtor Relief Law with respect to any Finance Party, (ii) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Finance Party or with respect to a material portion of its assets, (iii) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of any Finance Party whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy or (iv) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Finance Party.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement.

Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement” means the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010 among the ABL Collateral Agent (as defined therein), the Notes Collateral Agent (as defined therein), the Issuer and each other party thereto (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time).

UCC” means at any time the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the state where the Premises are located, provided that, if, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, the validity, perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection of any security interest granted herein is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the state where the Premises are located then, as to the validity or perfection of such security interest, “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such validity or perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection.

Section 1.02 Interpretation. As used in this Mortgage, the singular shall include the plural as the context requires and the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: (i) “including” shall mean “including but not limited to”; (ii) “provisions” shall mean “provisions, terms, covenants and/or conditions”; (iii) “lien” shall mean “lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest,

 

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mortgage, deed of trust”; (iv) “obligation” shall mean “obligation, duty, covenant and/or condition”; and (v) “any of the Encumbered Property” shall mean “the Encumbered Property or any part thereof or interest therein.” Any act that the Mortgagee is permitted to perform hereunder may be performed at any time and from time to time by the Mortgagee or any person or entity designated by the Mortgagee. Any act which is prohibited to the Mortgagor hereunder is also prohibited to all lessees of any of the Encumbered Property. Each appointment of the Mortgagee as attorney-in-fact for the Mortgagor under this Mortgage is irrevocable, with power of substitution and coupled with an interest. Subject to the applicable provisions hereof, the Mortgagee has the right to refuse to grant its consent, approval or acceptance or to indicate its satisfaction, in its sole discretion, whenever such consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction is required hereunder.

ARTICLE 2

CONVEYANCE OF ENCUMBERED PROPERTY

Section 2.01 Grant. To secure the full and punctual payment of the Finance Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof (including the performance of all of the obligations of the Mortgagor hereunder), the Mortgagor hereby grants, bargains, sells, transfers, sets over, assigns and conveys as security, grants a security interest in, hypothecates, mortgages, pledges and sets over to the Mortgagee, the Encumbered Property, subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances.

TO HAVE AND HOLD the same, together with all privileges, hereditaments, easements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to the Mortgagee and the Mortgagee’s successors and assigns to secure the Finance Obligations; provided, always, and this instrument is upon the express condition that should the Finance Obligations be paid according to the tenor and effect thereof when the same shall be due and payable and should the Mortgagor timely and fully discharge its obligations hereunder, this Mortgage and the estate hereby granted shall cease and become void.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND

COVENANTS OF THE MORTGAGOR

The Mortgagor agrees, covenants, represents and warrants as follows:

Section 3.01 Title.

(a) The Mortgagor has good and insurable fee simple title to the Land and the Improvements, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances. The Mortgagor has valid leasehold interests in, all of the other Encumbered Property. This Mortgage is and will remain a valid and enforceable first lien on, and security interest in, the Encumbered Property until payment and performance in full of the Finance Obligations, subject to no Liens other than the exceptions and encumbrances set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto and any Liens permitted pursuant to the Indenture (collectively, the “Permitted Encumbrances”).

(b) Intentionally deleted.

(c) The Mortgagor will forever warrant, defend and preserve its title to the Encumbered Property, the rights of the Mortgagee therein under this Mortgage and the validity and priority of the lien of this Mortgage thereon against the claims of all persons and parties except those having rights under the Permitted Encumbrances to the extent of those rights until payment and performance in full of the Finance Obligations.

 

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Section 3.02 [Reserved]

Section 3.03 [Reserved]

Section 3.04 [Reserved]

Section 3.05 [Reserved]

Section 3.06 [Reserved]

Section 3.07 Finance Documents.

(a) This Mortgage is given pursuant to the Indenture and the other Finance Documents. Each and every term and provision of the Indenture and the other Finance Documents (except for the governing law provisions thereof), including the rights, remedies, obligations, covenants, conditions, agreements, indemnities, representations and warranties of the parties thereto shall be considered as if a part of this Mortgage.

(b) If any remedy or right of the Mortgagee pursuant hereto is acted upon by the Mortgagee or if any actions or proceedings (including any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings) are commenced in which the Mortgagee is made a party and is obliged to defend or uphold or enforce this Mortgage or the rights of the Mortgagee hereunder or the terms of any Lease, the Mortgagor will pay all sums, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, actually incurred (not as imposed by statute) by the Mortgagee related to the exercise of any remedy or right of the Mortgagee pursuant hereto or for the expense of any such action or proceeding together with all statutory or other costs, disbursements and allowances, plus interest thereon accruing from the date such cost is incurred (and payable five (5) business days from the date of written demand for payment thereof) until such sums are paid at the Default Rate, and such sums and the interest thereon shall, to the extent permissible by law, be a lien on the Encumbered Property prior to any right, title to, interest in or claim upon the Encumbered Property attaching or accruing subsequent to the recording of this Mortgage and shall be secured by this Mortgage to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(c) Any payment of amounts due under this Mortgage not made on or before the due date for such payments shall accrue interest daily without notice from the due date until paid at the Default Rate, and such interest at the Default Rate shall be immediately due upon demand by the Mortgagee, and shall, to the extent permissible by law, be a lien on the Encumbered Property prior to any right, title to, interest in or claim upon the Encumbered Property attaching or accruing subsequent to the recording of this Mortgage and shall be secured by this Mortgage to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 3.08 Payment of Taxes, Liens and Charges.

(a) The Mortgagor will pay and discharge from time to time prior to the time when the same shall become delinquent, and before any interest or penalty accrues thereon or attaches thereto, all Impositions, imposed upon or assessed against the Encumbered Property or any part thereof or upon the Rents from the Encumbered Property or arising in respect of the occupancy, use or possession thereof.

(b) In the event of the passage of any state, Federal, municipal or other governmental law, order, rule or regulation subsequent to the date hereof (i) deducting from the value of real property for the purpose of taxation any lien or encumbrance thereon or in any manner changing or modifying the laws now in force governing the taxation of this Mortgage or debts secured by mortgages or deeds of trust (other than laws governing income, franchise and similar taxes generally) or the manner of collecting

 

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taxes thereon and (ii) imposing a tax to be paid by the Mortgagee, either directly or indirectly, on this Mortgage, or any other Finance Documents or to require an amount of taxes to be withheld or deducted therefrom, the Mortgagor will promptly notify the Mortgagee of such event. In such event the Mortgagor shall (i) agree to enter into such further instruments as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to obligate the Mortgagor to make any applicable additional payments, and (ii) the Mortgagor shall make all such additional payments.

(c) Mortgagor shall have the right to contest the amount or validity, in whole or in part, of any Impositions, or to seek a reduction in the valuation of the Encumbered Property, or any part thereof, as assessed for real estate or personal property tax purposes, by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted in good faith. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Mortgagor may commence such proceedings, however, only after payment of such Impositions, unless such payment would bar any such proceedings or interfere materially and adversely with the prosecution thereof, in which event Mortgagor may postpone or defer payment of such Impositions provided it gives Mortgagee timely notice of same. Upon such postponement or deferral, on Mortgagee’s demand, (i) Mortgagor shall provide security, for the duration of such proceedings (including any appeals), in such form and amount as shall, in Mortgagee’s reasonable judgment, assure the discharge of Mortgagor’s obligations hereunder and of any additional charge, penalty or expense incurred as a result of such proceedings; and (ii) if the Encumbered Property or any part thereof shall, in Mortgagee’s reasonable judgment, be in imminent danger of being forfeited or lost by reason of such postponement or deferral, Mortgagor shall immediately pay or cause to be paid the Impositions.

(d) If required by the Mortgagee during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Mortgagor shall pay the Mortgagee monthly, together with and in addition to the payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Finance Obligation, an amount determined by the Mortgagee to be necessary to enable the Mortgagee to pay all Impositions one month before it becomes due. If the total payments made to the Mortgagee pursuant to the preceding sentence are less than the amount required to pay any Imposition one month before it becomes due, the Mortgagor shall pay the Mortgagee, on demand, the amount necessary to make up such deficiency. If there is an excess of such payments, the excess will reduce subsequent payments required under this Section 3.08. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Mortgagee shall not be required to pay interest on any sums held pursuant to this Section 3.08. If an Event of Default has occurred, the Mortgagee may at its option apply any amounts received pursuant to this Section 3.08 to the payment of the Finance Obligations in such order as the Mortgagee may elect.

Section 3.09 Payment of Closing Costs. The Mortgagor shall pay all reasonable costs in connection with, relating to or arising out of the preparation, execution and recording of this Mortgage, including title company premiums and charges, survey costs, recording fees and taxes, attorneys’ fees and disbursements, and all other similar expenses of every kind.

Section 3.10 [Reserved]

Section 3.11 Insurance. The Mortgagor will keep the Encumbered Property insured against such risks in the manner required by the other Finance Documents.

Section 3.12 Casualty; Restoration of Casualty Damage. The Mortgagor shall give the Mortgagee prompt written notice of any fire or other casualty to all or any material portion of the Encumbered Property (a “Casualty”). In the event of a Casualty, the Net Cash Proceeds with respect to any such Casualty shall be paid and applied in accordance with the Finance Documents.

 

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Section 3.13 Condemnation/Eminent Domain. The Mortgagor shall notify the Mortgagee promptly upon obtaining knowledge of any pending or threatened condemnation or taking of all or any material portion of the Encumbered Property (a “Condemnation”). In the event of a Condemnation, all Net Cash Proceeds shall be paid and applied in accordance with the Finance Documents.

Section 3.14 Assignment of Leases and Rents.

(a) The Mortgagor hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and absolutely grants, transfers and assigns to the Mortgagee all of its right, title and interest in and to all Leases, together with any and all extensions and renewals thereof for purposes of securing and discharging the Finance Obligations. The Mortgagor has not assigned or executed any assignment of, and will not assign or execute any assignment of, any Lease or its respective Rents to anyone other than to the Mortgagee, other than in connection with the ABL Collateral Documents.

(b) Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, without the Mortgagee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, the Mortgagor will not (i) enter into, modify in any material respect, amend in any material respect, terminate or consent to the cancellation or surrender of any Lease if such entrance, modification, amendment, termination or consent would, in the reasonable judgment of the Mortgagee, be adverse in any material respect to the Secured Parties, the value of the Encumbered Property or the liens and security interests created by this Mortgage or (ii) except for an assignment or subletting which is expressly permitted under the terms of the Lease, consent to an assignment of any tenant’s interest in any Lease or to a subletting thereof covering a material portion of the Encumbered Property, except, in each case, as may be permitted by this Mortgage or the other Finance Documents.

(c) The Mortgagor has assigned and transferred to the Mortgagee all of the Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the Rents now or hereafter arising, it being intended that this assignment establish, subject to Section 3.14(d) below, an absolute transfer and assignment of all Rents and all Leases to the Mortgagee and not merely to grant a security interest therein. Such assignment to the Mortgagee shall not be construed to bind the Mortgagee to the performance of any of the covenants, conditions or provisions contained in any Lease or otherwise impose any obligation upon the Mortgagee except that the Mortgagee shall be accountable for any Rents actually received pursuant to the aforesaid assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Mortgagor shall have the license and right, subject to automatic revocation as provided in Section 3.14(d) below, to operate and rent, lease or let all or any portion of the Encumbered Property and to collect all of the Rents. As provided in Section 3.14(d) below, the license granted by this Section 3.14(c) is subject to automatic revocation and thereafter the Mortgagee may, in the Mortgagor’s name and stead (with or without first taking possession of any of the Encumbered Property personally or by receiver as provided herein) operate the Encumbered Property and rent, lease or let all or any portion of any of the Encumbered Property to any party or parties at such rental and upon such terms as the Mortgagee shall, in its sole discretion, determine, and may collect and have the benefit of all of such Rents arising from or accruing at any time thereafter or that may thereafter become due.

(d) As long as no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, the license granted under Section 3.14(c) above shall be effective and the Mortgagee shall not exercise any of its rights under Section 3.14(c) above, and the Mortgagor shall receive and collect the Rents accruing under any Lease pursuant to the revocable license granted therein; but upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the license granted under Section 3.14(c) above shall be deemed to be automatically revoked and shall terminate automatically without notice and the Mortgagee shall be entitled to all of the Rents without the necessity of the Mortgagee’s taking any action whatsoever, and the Rents shall thereupon be deemed to be cash collateral for all purposes, including without limitation for purposes of

 

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Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Mortgagee may receive and collect all Rents and enter upon the Premises and Improvements through its officers, agents, employees or attorneys for such purpose and for the operation and maintenance thereof. Upon the occurrence and during any continuance of an Event of Default, the Mortgagor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs each tenant, if any, and each successor, if any, to the interest of any tenant under any Lease, respectively, to rely upon any notice of a claimed Event of Default sent by the Mortgagee to any such tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest, and thereafter to pay Rents to the Mortgagee without any obligation or right to inquire as to whether an Event of Default actually exists and even if notice to the contrary is received from the Mortgagor, who shall have no right or claim against any such tenant or successor in interest for any such Rents so paid to the Mortgagee. Each tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest from whom the Mortgagee or any officer, agent, attorney or employee of the Mortgagee shall have collected any Rents, shall be authorized to pay Rents to the Mortgagor only after such tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest shall have received written notice from the Mortgagee that the Event of Default is no longer continuing, which notice the Mortgagee shall be obligated to give if the Mortgagee determines in its reasonable discretion that such Event of Default is no longer continuing (or if ordered by a court or arbitrator with jurisdiction), unless and until a further notice of an Event of Default is given by the Mortgagee to such tenant or any of such tenant’s successors in interest.

(e) The Mortgagee will not become a mortgagee in possession so long as it does not enter and take actual possession of the Encumbered Property. In addition, the Mortgagee shall not be responsible or liable for performing any of the obligations of the landlord under any Lease, for any waste by any tenants, or others, for any dangerous or defective conditions of any of the Encumbered Property, for negligence in the management, upkeep, repair or control of any of the Encumbered Property or any other act or omission by any other person, except in the event the Mortgagee takes possession of the Encumbered Property, but only for occurrences or non-occurrences arising or accruing subsequent to such taking of possession of the Encumbered Property.

(f) The Mortgagor shall furnish to the Mortgagee, within 30 days after a request by the Mortgagee to do so, a written statement containing the names of all tenants, subtenants and concessionaires of the Premises or Improvements, the terms of any Lease, the space occupied and the rentals or license fees payable thereunder.

(g) If an Event of Default occurs, and if there is any applicable law requiring the Mortgagee to take actual or constructive possession of the Premises (or some action equivalent thereto, such as securing the appointment of a receiver) in order for the Mortgagee to “perfect” or “activate” its rights and remedies as set forth herein, the Mortgagor hereby waives the benefits of any such laws to the maximum extent allowable.

Section 3.15 Restrictions on Transfers and Encumbrances. Except as permitted hereby or by the Finance Documents, the Mortgagor shall not directly or indirectly sell, convey, alienate, mortgage, pledge, encumber or create, consent to or suffer the creation of any lien or charge upon any interest in or any part of the Encumbered Property.

Section 3.16 Security Agreement. This Mortgage is both a mortgage and grant of real property and a grant of a security interest in personal property, and shall constitute and serve as a “security agreement” within the meaning of the UCC. The Mortgagor hereby grants unto the Mortgagee for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in and to all the Encumbered Property described in this Mortgage that is not real property, and substantially contemporaneously with the recording of this Mortgage, the Mortgagor has filed or will file UCC financing statements, and will file continuation statements prior to the lapse thereof, at the appropriate offices in the state in which the Premises are

 

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located and otherwise may be required or advisable to perfect the security interest granted by this Mortgage in all the Encumbered Property that is not real property. The Mortgagor hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for the Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute any document and to file the same in the appropriate offices (to the extent it may lawfully do so), and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done to perfect the security interest hereby granted. The Mortgagee shall have all rights with respect to the part of the Encumbered Property that is the subject of a security interest afforded by the UCC in addition to, but not in limitation of, the other rights afforded the Mortgagee hereunder. The Mortgagor agrees, to the extent permitted by law, that: (i) all of the goods described within the definition of the word “Personal Property” are or are to become fixtures on the Land; (ii) this Mortgage upon recording or registration in the real estate records of the proper office shall constitute a financing statement filed as a “fixture filing” within the meaning of Section 9-502(c) of the UCC; (iii) the Mortgagor is the record owner of the Premises; and (iv) the addresses of Mortgagor and Mortgagee are as set forth in Section 5.02 of this Mortgage. Additionally, this Mortgage shall constitute a financing statement covering fixtures and/or minerals or the like (including oil and gas) and/or accounts resulting from the sale thereof at the wellhead or minehead and, as such, shall be filed for record in the real estate records of each county in which the Land, or any part thereof, is located.

Section 3.17 Filing and Recording. The Mortgagor will cause this Mortgage, any other security instrument creating a security interest in or evidencing the lien hereof upon the Encumbered Property and each instrument of further assurance to be filed, registered or recorded in such manner and in such places as may be required by any present or future law in order to publish notice of and to protect fully the liens and security interests of the Mortgagee hereby granted in and upon the Encumbered Property. The Mortgagor will pay all filing, registration or recording fees, and all expenses incidental to the execution and acknowledgment of this Mortgage, any mortgage supplemental hereto, any security instrument with respect to the Encumbered Property, and any instrument of further assurance and all Federal, state, county and municipal recording, documentary or intangible taxes and other taxes, duties, imposts, assessments and charges arising out of or in connection with the execution, delivery and recording of this Mortgage, any mortgage supplemental hereto, any security instrument with respect to the Encumbered Property or any instrument of further assurance.

Section 3.18 Further Assurances. Upon demand by the Mortgagee, the Mortgagor will, at the sole cost of the Mortgagor and without expense to the Mortgagee, do, execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further acts, deeds, conveyances, deeds of trust, assignments, notices of assignment, transfers and assurances as the Mortgagee shall from time to time reasonably require as necessary for the assuring, conveying, assigning, transferring and confirming unto the Mortgagee the property and rights hereby conveyed or assigned or intended now or hereafter so to be, or which the Mortgagor may be or may hereafter become bound to convey or assign to the Mortgagee, or for carrying out the intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of this Mortgage, or for filing, registering or recording this Mortgage, and on demand, the Mortgagor will also execute and deliver and hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent for the Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute and file to the extent it may lawfully do so, one or more financing statements, chattel mortgages or comparable security instruments reasonably required by the Mortgagee to evidence or perfect the liens and security interests hereby granted and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done to accomplish the same.

Section 3.19 Additions to Encumbered Property. All right, title and interest of the Mortgagor in and to all extensions, improvements, betterments, renewals, substitutes and replacements of, and all additions and appurtenances to, the Encumbered Property hereafter acquired by or released to the Mortgagor or constructed, assembled or placed by the Mortgagor upon the Premises or the Improvements, and all conversions of the security constituted thereby, immediately upon such acquisition, release,

 

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construction, assembling, placement or conversion, as the case may be, and in each such case without any further mortgage, conveyance, assignment or other act by the Mortgagor, shall become subject to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage as fully and completely and with the same effect as though now owned by the Mortgagor and specifically described in the grant of the Encumbered Property above, but at any and all times the Mortgagor will execute and deliver to the Mortgagee any and all such further assurances, mortgages, conveyances or assignments thereof as the Mortgagee may reasonably require for the purpose of expressly and specifically subjecting the same to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage.

Section 3.20 No Claims Against the Mortgagee. Nothing contained in this Mortgage shall constitute any consent or request by the Mortgagee, express or implied, for the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Encumbered Property or any part thereof, nor as giving the Mortgagor any right, power or authority to contract for or permit the performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against the Mortgagee in respect thereof.

Section 3.21 Environmental.

(a) As used in this Mortgage, the term “Hazardous Materials” shall mean and include those elements, materials, compounds, mixtures or substances, including, but not limited to asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, crude oil or any fraction or product thereof, which are contained in the list of hazardous substances adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) or the list of toxic pollutants designated by Congress or the United States Environmental Protection Agency or which are defined as hazardous, toxic, pollutant, infectious, flammable or radioactive by any other Federal, State, or local statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation or order regulating, relating to, or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, any waste, substance, element, compound, mixture or material, as now or at any time hereafter in effect including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. §1801 et seq., the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., the Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq., the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq., the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651-678, or rules and regulations of the EPA or any other state or federal department, board or agency, or any other agency or governmental board or entity having jurisdiction over Hazardous Materials at any of the Encumbered Property (collectively, the “Environmental Laws”).

(b) The Mortgagor agrees that the Mortgagee or any agent or representative acting on behalf of the Mortgagee may (but shall not be obligated to) enter upon the Premises and the Improvements upon reasonable notice, after the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, to conduct such inspections and tests, as may be desired by the Mortgagee to determine compliance with Environmental Laws. If any such inspections or tests reveal facts or circumstances that are required to be reported to Governmental Authorities under applicable laws, then Mortgagor agrees to report those facts and circumstances in accordance with applicable laws. All costs, charges and fees incurred in connection with such inspections and tests shall be added to the Finance Obligations.

 

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ARTICLE 4

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 4.01 Events of Default. It shall be an Event of Default under this Mortgage if any Event of Default shall exist under any Finance Document.

Section 4.02 Demand for Payment. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, in addition to any other rights and remedies the Mortgagee may have pursuant to the Finance Documents, or as provided at law or in equity, and without limitation, the Finance Obligations and all other amounts payable with respect to the Notes, the Indenture, this Mortgage and all other Finance Documents shall become due and payable as provided therein. The Mortgagor shall pay to the Mortgagee within the time period set forth in the Finance Documents (or if no time period is specified therein, promptly after written demand by Mortgagee) all such amounts and such further amounts as shall be reasonably incurred (without regard to statutory presumption) to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expenses incurred by the Mortgagee. The Mortgagor hereby waives notice of presentment, demand, protest, acceleration and notice of acceleration to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. In case the Finance Parties shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts or any amounts due under the Finance Documents or any provision of this Mortgage within the time period set forth in the Finance Documents (or if no time period is specified therein, promptly after written demand by Mortgagee), the Mortgagee, in addition to any other rights or remedies provided herein or at law or equity, shall be entitled and empowered to institute an action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, to prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, to enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Mortgagor and to collect, in any manner provided by law, all moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

Section 4.03 Rights to Take Possession, Operate and Apply Revenues.

(a) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagor shall, upon demand of the Mortgagee, forthwith surrender to the Mortgagee actual possession of the Encumbered Property and, if and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Mortgagee itself, or by such officers or agents as it may appoint, may then enter and take possession of all the Encumbered Property with or without the appointment of a receiver or an application therefor, exclude the Mortgagor and its agents and employees wholly therefrom, and have access to the books, papers and accounts of the Mortgagor.

(b) If the Mortgagor shall for any reason fail to surrender or deliver the Encumbered Property or any part thereof after such demand by the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee may obtain a judgment or decree conferring upon the Mortgagee the right to immediate possession or requiring the Mortgagor to deliver immediate possession of the Encumbered Property to the Mortgagee, to the entry of which judgment or decree the Mortgagor hereby specifically consents. The Mortgagor will pay to the Mortgagee, upon demand, all reasonable expenses of obtaining such judgment or decree, including compensation to the Mortgagee’s attorneys (for reasonable fees actually incurred (not as imposed by statute)) and agents with interest thereon at the Default Rate; and all such expenses and compensation shall, until paid, be secured by this Mortgage.

(c) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee may hold, store, use, operate, manage and control the Encumbered Property, conduct the business thereof and, from time to time, (i) make all necessary, proper and reasonable maintenance, repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments and improvements thereto and thereon, (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire

 

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additional fixtures, personalty and other property, (iii) insure or keep the Encumbered Property insured, (iv) manage and operate the Encumbered Property and exercise all the rights and powers of the Mortgagor to the same extent as the Mortgagor could in its own name or otherwise with respect to the same or (v) enter into any and all agreements with respect to the exercise by others of any of the powers herein granted to the Mortgagee, all as may from time to time be directed or determined by the Mortgagee to be in its best interest and the Mortgagor hereby appoints the Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for the Mortgagor and in its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to perform any of the foregoing acts. Regardless of whether or not the Mortgagee has entered or taken possession, the Mortgagee may collect and receive all the Rents, issues, profits and revenues from the Encumbered Property, including those past due as well as those accruing thereafter, and, after deducting (i) all expenses of taking, holding, managing and operating the Encumbered Property (including compensation for the services of all persons employed for such purposes), (ii) the costs of all such maintenance, repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments, improvements, purchases and acquisitions, (iii) the costs of insurance, (iv) such taxes, assessments and other similar charges as the Mortgagee may at its option pay, (v) other proper charges upon the Encumbered Property or any part thereof and (vi) the compensation, expenses and disbursements of the attorneys and agents of the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee shall apply the remainder of the moneys and proceeds so received first to the payment of the Mortgagee for the payment in full and satisfaction of the Finance Obligations, and second, if there is any surplus, to the Mortgagor, subject to the entitlement of others thereto under applicable law.

(d) Whenever, before any sale of the Encumbered Property under Section 4.06 hereof, Discharge of Finance Obligations shall have occurred, the Mortgagee will surrender possession of the Encumbered Property back to the Mortgagor, its successors or assigns. The same right of taking possession shall, however, arise again if any subsequent Event of Default shall occur and be continuing.

Section 4.04 Right to Cure the Mortgagor’s Failure to Perform. During the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice to Mortgagor, should the Mortgagor fail in the payment, performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition required by this Mortgage or any other Finance Document (with respect to the Encumbered Property), the Mortgagee may pay, perform or observe the same, and all payments made or costs or expenses incurred by the Mortgagee in connection therewith shall be secured hereby and shall be, without demand, immediately repaid by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Default Rate. The Mortgagee shall make the determination as to the necessity for any such actions and of the amounts to be paid. The Mortgagee is hereby empowered to enter and to authorize others to enter upon the Premises or the Improvements or any part thereof for the purpose of performing or observing any such defaulted term, covenant or condition without having any obligation to so perform or observe and without thereby becoming liable to the Mortgagor, to any person in possession holding under the Mortgagor or to any other person.

Section 4.05 Right to a Receiver. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee, upon application to a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver to take possession of and to operate the Encumbered Property and to collect and apply the Rents. The Mortgagor hereby consents to such appointment and acknowledges and agrees that the Mortgagee shall be entitled to such appointment without notice and without regard for the adequacy of security for the Finance Obligations or the solvency of the Mortgagor or any party liable for the Finance Obligations. The receiver shall have all of the rights and powers permitted under the laws of the state wherein the Encumbered Property is located. The Mortgagor will pay to the Mortgagee upon demand all expenses, including receiver’s fees, attorneys’ fees and disbursements that are actually incurred (not as imposed by statute), costs and agent’s compensation incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.05; and all such expenses shall be secured by this Mortgage and shall be, without demand, immediately repaid by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee with interest thereon at the Default Rate.

 

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Section 4.06 Foreclosure and Sale.

(a) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee may elect to sell the Encumbered Property or any part of the Encumbered Property by exercise of the power of foreclosure or of sale granted to the Mortgagee by applicable law, this Mortgage or any other Finance Document. In such case, the Mortgagee may commence a civil action to foreclose this Mortgage, in accordance with applicable law, to satisfy any Finance Obligation. The Mortgagee or an officer appointed by a judgment of foreclosure to sell the Encumbered Property, may sell all or such parts of the Encumbered Property as may be chosen by the Mortgagee at the time and place of sale fixed by it in a notice of sale, either as a whole or in separate lots, parcels or items as the Mortgagee shall deem expedient, and in such order as it may determine, at public auction to the highest bidder. The Mortgagee or an officer appointed by a judgment of foreclosure to sell the Encumbered Property may postpone any foreclosure or other sale of all or any portion of the Encumbered Property by public announcement at such time and place of sale, and from time to time as permitted by applicable law thereafter may postpone such sale by public announcement or subsequently noticed sale. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, without further notice, the Mortgagee or an officer appointed to sell the Encumbered Property may make such sale at the time fixed by the last postponement, or may, in its discretion, give a new notice of sale. Any person, including the Mortgagor or the Mortgagee or any designee or affiliate thereof, may purchase any portion of the Encumbered Property at such sale. If the Mortgagee, or any affiliate of the Mortgagee, is the highest bidder at any foreclosure sale, the Mortgagee may credit the Finance Obligations for the amount of the Mortgagee’s bid in lieu of a cash payment. Mortgagor authorizes and empowers the Mortgagee to execute and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers at any such foreclosure sale, good and sufficient deed(s) and/or bill(s) of sale of the Encumbered Property, or the part thereof foreclosed upon, all with covenants of general warranty binding on Mortgagor and Mortgagor’s successors and assigns.

(b) The Encumbered Property may be sold subject to unpaid taxes and the Permitted Encumbrances, and after deducting all the reasonable actual costs, fees and expenses of the Mortgagee, including, without limitation, costs of evidence of title in connection with the sale, the Mortgagee or an officer that makes any sale shall apply the proceeds of sale in the manner set forth in Section 4.08 hereof.

(c) Any foreclosure or other sale of less than the whole of the Encumbered Property or any defective or irregular sale made hereunder shall not exhaust the power of foreclosure or of sale provided for herein; and subsequent sales may be made hereunder until Discharge of Finance Obligations shall have occurred, or the entirety of the Encumbered Property has been sold.

(d) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee may instead of, or in addition to, exercising the rights described in Section 4.06(a) above and either with or without entry or taking possession as herein permitted, proceed by a suit or suits in law or in equity or by any other appropriate proceeding or remedy (i) to specifically enforce payment of some or all of the terms of the Finance Documents or the performance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement of this Mortgage or any other right or (ii) to pursue any other remedy available to it, at law or in equity, all as the Mortgagee shall determine most effectual for such purposes.

Section 4.07 Other Remedies.

(a) In case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee may also exercise, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, any or all of the remedies available to a secured party under the UCC, including, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the following:

(i) in the case of personal property, exercise those rights and remedies under the Security Agreement;

 

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(ii) to make such payments and do such acts as the Mortgagee may deem necessary to protect its security interest in the Personal Property including paying, purchasing, contesting or compromising any encumbrance, charge or lien that is prior or superior to the security interest granted hereunder, and, in exercising any such powers or authority, paying all expenses incurred in connection therewith; or

(iii) to enter upon any or all of the Premises or Improvements to exercise the Mortgagee’s rights hereunder.

(b) In connection with a sale of the Encumbered Property and the application of the proceeds of sale as provided in Section 4.08 of this Mortgage, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to enforce payment of and to receive up to the principal amount of the Finance Obligations, plus all other charges, payments and costs due under this Mortgage, and to recover a deficiency judgment for any portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Finance Obligations remaining unpaid, with interest.

Section 4.08 Application of Sale of Proceeds and Rents.

(a) After any foreclosure sale of all or any of the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee shall receive the proceeds of sale, no purchaser shall be required to see to the application of the proceeds, and the Mortgagee shall apply the proceeds of the sale together with any Rents that may have been collected and any other sums that then may be held by the Mortgagee under this Mortgage as set forth in Article IV of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

(b) It is understood that nothing contained in this Mortgage shall exculpate the Mortgagor as to, or otherwise limit the liability of the Mortgagor for, any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds of the Encumbered Property and the amount of the Finance Obligations, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Mortgage or any of the other Finance Documents.

Section 4.09 The Mortgagor as Tenant Holding Over. If the Mortgagor remains in possession of any of the Encumbered Property after any foreclosure sale by the Mortgagee, at the Mortgagee’s election the Mortgagor shall be deemed a tenant holding over and shall forthwith surrender possession to the purchaser or purchasers at such sale or be summarily dispossessed or evicted according to provisions of law applicable to tenants holding over.

Section 4.10 Waiver of Appraisement, Valuation, Stay, Extension and Redemption Laws.

(a) The Mortgagor will not object to any sale of the Encumbered Property made in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and for itself and all who may claim under it, the Mortgagor waives, to the extent that it lawfully may, all right to have the Encumbered Property marshaled or to have the Encumbered Property sold as separate estates, parcels, tracts or units in the event of any foreclosure of this Mortgage.

(b) To the full extent permitted by the law of the state wherein the Encumbered Property is located or other applicable law, neither the Mortgagor nor anyone claiming through or under it shall or will set up, claim or seek to take advantage of any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension, homestead-exemption or redemption laws now or hereafter in force in order to prevent or hinder the enforcement or foreclosure of this Mortgage, the absolute sale of the Encumbered Property or the final and absolute putting of the purchasers into possession thereof immediately after any sale; and the Mortgagor, for itself and all who may at any time claim through or under it, hereby waives to the full extent that it may lawfully do so, the benefit of all such laws and any and all right to have the assets covered by the security interest created hereby marshaled upon any foreclosure of this Mortgage.

 

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Section 4.11 Discontinuance of Proceedings. In case the Mortgagee shall proceed to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall be discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall be determined adversely to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, powers and remedies of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 4.12 Suits to Protect the Encumbered Property. The Mortgagee shall have power (i) to institute and maintain suits and proceedings to prevent any impairment of the Encumbered Property by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of this Mortgage, (ii) to preserve or protect its interest in the Encumbered Property and in the Rents arising therefrom and (iii) to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislation or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of or compliance with such enactment, rule or order would impair the security or be prejudicial to the interest of the Mortgagee hereunder.

Section 4.13 Filing Proofs of Claim. In case of any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other proceedings affecting the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Mortgagee allowed in such proceedings for the Finance Obligations secured by this Mortgage at the date of the institution of such proceedings and for any interest accrued, late charges and additional interest or other amounts due or that may become due and payable hereunder after such date.

Section 4.14 Possession by the Mortgagee. Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Mortgagor, any of its property or the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee shall be entitled, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, to remain in possession and control of all parts of the Encumbered Property now or hereafter granted under this Mortgage in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable law.

Section 4.15 Waiver.

(a) No delay or failure by the Mortgagee to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall exhaust or impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or acquiescence therein unless otherwise expressly consented to in writing by the Mortgagee; and every right, power and remedy given by this Mortgage to the Mortgagee may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Mortgagee. No consent or waiver by the Mortgagee to or of any Event of Default by the Mortgagor in the performance of the Finance Obligations shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other Event of Default in the performance of the same or any other Finance Obligations by the Mortgagor hereunder. No failure on the part of the Mortgagee to complain of any act or failure to act or to declare an Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall constitute a waiver by the Mortgagee of its rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies consequent on any future Event of Default by the Mortgagor.

(b) Even if the Mortgagee (i) grants some forbearance or an extension of time for the payment of any sums secured hereby, (ii) takes other or additional security for the payment of any sums secured hereby, (iii) waives or does not exercise some right granted herein or under the Finance Documents, (iv) releases a part of the Encumbered Property from this Mortgage, (v) agrees to change

 

F-38


some of the terms, covenants, conditions or agreements of any of the Finance Documents, (vi) consents to the filing of a map, plat or replat affecting the Premises, (vii) consents to the granting of an easement or other right affecting the Premises or (viii) makes or consents to an agreement subordinating the Mortgagee’s lien on the Encumbered Property hereunder; no such act or omission shall preclude the Mortgagee from exercising any other right, power or privilege herein granted or intended to be granted in the event of any Event of Default then made or of any subsequent Event of Default; nor, except as otherwise expressly provided in an instrument executed by the Mortgagee, shall this Mortgage be altered thereby. In the event of the sale or transfer by operation of law or otherwise of all or part of the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee is hereby authorized and empowered to deal with any vendee or transferee with reference to the Encumbered Property secured hereby, or with reference to any of the terms, covenants, conditions or agreements hereof, as fully and to the same extent as it might deal with the original parties hereto and without in any way releasing or discharging any liabilities, obligations or undertakings.

Section 4.16 Remedies Cumulative. No right, power or remedy conferred upon or reserved to the Mortgagee by this Mortgage is intended to be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy, and each and every such right, power and remedy shall be cumulative and concurrent and in addition to any other right, power and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute.

ARTICLE 5

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.01 Partial Invalidity. If any provision hereof or of any of the other Finance Documents is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances, the other provisions hereof or of those Finance Documents shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and the remaining provisions hereof will be liberally construed in favor of the Mortgagee in order to carry out the provisions hereof and of such other Finance Documents. The invalidity of any provision of this Mortgage in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances will not affect the validity or enforceability of any such provision in any other jurisdiction or under any other circumstances. If any lien, encumbrance or security interest evidenced or created by this Mortgage is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, as to any part of the Finance Obligations, or is invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, as to any part of the Encumbered Property, such portion, if any, of the Finance Obligations as is not secured by all of the Encumbered Property hereunder shall be paid prior to the payment of the portion of the Finance Obligations and shall, unless prohibited by applicable laws or unless Mortgagee, in its sole and absolute discretion, otherwise elects, be deemed to have been first paid on and applied to payment in full of the unsecured or partially secured portion of the Finance Obligations, and the remainder to the secured portion of the Finance Obligations.

Section 5.02 Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices, demands, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including bank wire, telex, facsimile transmission or similar writing) and shall be given to such party (i) at its address set forth below or (ii) such other facsimile number or telex number such other address, facsimile number or telex number as the party entitled to such notice shall have specified by at least ten days’ prior notice given to the other parties in the manner provided herein.

 

F-39


(a) To the Mortgagee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Attention: American Tire Trustee

Telecopier: (904) 645-1921

with a copy to:

[Jeffrey H. Elkin

Winston & Strawn LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166-4193

E-Mail: JElkin@winston.com

Telephone: (212) 294-6711]

(b) To the Mortgagor:

[Mortgagor Name]

[Mortgagor Notice Address]

Attn:                                         

with a copy to:

[contact]

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

E-Mail:

Telephone:

Each such notice, demand, request and other communication shall be effective (i) effective (i) if given by telex, when such telex is transmitted to the telex number specified in this Section 5.02 and the appropriate answerback is received, (ii) if given by facsimile transmission, when transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section and confirmation of receipt is received, (iii) if given by mail, 48 hours after such communication is deposited, certified mail, return receipt requested, in the mails with appropriate first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (iv) if given by other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section 5.02 deemed to have been given upon the earlier of (i) delivery at the appropriate address specified above, whether in person, by express courier or by mail, or (ii) two days after the postmark date of mailing. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of a changed address of which no notice was given shall not invalidate the effectiveness of any notice, demand, request or other communication.

Section 5.03 Successors and Assigns. The Mortgagee shall have the right to assign or transfer its rights under this Mortgage without limitation. Any assignee or transferee shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded the Mortgagee under this Mortgage.

Section 5.04 Satisfaction and Cancellation.

(a) The conveyance to the Mortgagee of the Encumbered Property as security and for the benefit of the Mortgagee created and consummated by this Mortgage shall be null and void when Discharge of Finance Obligations has occurred.

 

F-40


(b) In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) to the extent applicable, this Mortgage shall be marked “satisfied” by the Mortgagee, and this Mortgage may be cancelled of record at the request and at the expense of the Mortgagor. The Mortgagee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Mortgagor to accomplish the foregoing or to accomplish any release contemplated by this Section 5.04, and the Mortgagor will pay all costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements actually incurred (not as imposed by statute) by the Mortgagee in connection with the preparation and execution of such documents.

Section 5.05 Other Finance Documents. The Mortgagor acknowledges that in addition to this Mortgage, other Finance Documents secure the Finance Obligations. The Mortgagor agrees that the lien of this Mortgage shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not in any manner be affected or impaired by any acts or omissions whatsoever of the Mortgagee and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the lien hereof shall not be impaired by any acceptance by the Mortgagee of any security for or guarantees of any of the Finance Obligations hereby secured, or by any failure, neglect or omission on the part of the Mortgagee to realize upon or protect any Finance Obligation hereby secured or any collateral security therefor including the other Finance Documents. The lien hereof shall not in any manner be impaired or affected by any release (except as to the property released), sale, pledge, surrender, compromise, settlement, renewal, extension, indulgence, alteration, changing, modification or disposition of any of the Finance Obligations or of any of the collateral security therefor, including the other Finance Documents or of any guarantee thereof, and the Mortgagee may at its discretion foreclose, exercise any power of sale, or exercise any other remedy available to it under any or all of the other Finance Documents without first exercising or enforcing any of its rights and remedies hereunder. Such exercise of the Mortgagee’s rights and remedies under any or all of the other Finance Documents shall not in any manner impair the Finance Obligations or the lien of this Mortgage and any exercise of the rights or remedies of the Mortgagee hereunder shall not impair the lien of any of the other Finance Documents or any of the Mortgagee’s rights and remedies thereunder. The undersigned specifically consents and agrees that the Mortgagee may exercise its rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Finance Documents separately or concurrently and in any order that it may deem appropriate, and the undersigned waives any rights of subrogation. In the event of a conflict between the terms and provisions of this Mortgage and any other Finance Document, both documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of a conflict that cannot be resolved, the terms and provisions of the Indenture or the Security Agreement shall control and govern irrespective of the provisions of this Mortgage.

Section 5.06 Subrogation. This Mortgage is made with full substitution and subrogation of Mortgagee in and to all covenants and warranties by others heretofore given or made in respect of the Encumbered Property or any part thereof. To the extent that proceeds of the Finance Obligations are used to pay any outstanding lien, charge or prior encumbrance against the Encumbered Property, such proceeds have been or will be advanced by Mortgagee at Mortgagor’s request, and Mortgagee shall be subrogated to any and all rights and liens held by any owner or holder of such outstanding liens, charges and prior encumbrances, irrespective of whether those liens, charges or encumbrances are released.

Section 5.07 Mortgagee Powers. Without affecting the liability of any other Person liable for the payment of any obligations herein mentioned and without affecting the lien or charge of this Mortgage upon any portion of the Encumbered Property not then or theretofore released as security for the full amount of all unpaid Finance Obligations, from time to time, regardless of consideration and without notice to or consent by the holder of any subordinate lien, encumbrance, right, title or interest in or to the Encumbered Property, the Mortgagee may in accordance with the express terms and provisions of the Finance Documents (i) release any persons liable for or on any Finance Obligation, (ii) extend the maturity or alter any of the terms of any Finance Obligation, (iii) modify the interest rate payable on the

 

F-41


principal balance of the Finance Obligations, (iv) grant other indulgences, (v) release or reconvey, or cause to be released or reconveyed at any time at the Mortgagee’s option any parcel, portion or all of the Encumbered Property, (vi) take or release any other or additional security for any obligations herein mentioned or (vii) make compositions or other arrangements with debtors in relation thereto.

Section 5.08 Enforceability of Mortgage. This Mortgage is deemed to be and may be enforced from time to time as an assignment, chattel mortgage, contract, mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, financing statement, real estate mortgage or security agreement, and from time to time as any one or more thereof, as is appropriate under applicable laws. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Mortgage or any financing statement in connection herewith shall be sufficient as a financing statement for any and all purposes.

Section 5.09 Amendments. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee. No failure by the Mortgagee to exercise, and no delay by the Mortgagee in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder 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 are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

Section 5.10 Applicable Law. THIS MORTGAGE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE THE LAND IS LOCATED.

Section 5.11 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE MORTGAGOR AND THE MORTGAGEE (BY THE MORTGAGEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF THIS MORTGAGE AND IN CONSIDERATION OF THE DELIVERY OF THE OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS) HEREBY AGREES NOT TO ELECT A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ISSUE TRIABLE OF RIGHT BY JURY, AND FOREVER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY FULLY TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY SUCH RIGHT SHALL NOW OR HEREAFTER EXIST WITH REGARD TO THIS MORTGAGE, OR THE OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS, OR ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THIS WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS GIVEN KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY BY EACH OF THE MORTGAGOR AND THE MORTGAGEE, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS INDIVIDUALLY EACH INSTANCE AND EACH ISSUE AS TO WHICH THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE. EACH OF THE MORTGAGEE AND THE MORTGAGOR IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH IN ANY PROCEEDING AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER BY THE OTHER PARTY.

Section 5.12 Intercreditor Agreements. This Mortgage and any lien created herein are subject to the lien priority and other provisions set forth in the Intercreditor Agreements.

Section 5.13 Local Law Provisions. By virtue of the fact that the Premises are located in the State of [                    ], the provisions set forth below shall be applicable to this Mortgage, and to the extent applicable, shall modify, affect and supplement the other provisions hereof. [To be added as necessary by Local Counsel.]

 

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[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.

Signature page follows.]

 

F-43


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Mortgage has been duly authorized and has been executed and delivered, under seal, to the Mortgagee by the Mortgagor on the date first above written.

 

[MORTGAGOR NAME]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

F-44


[LOCAL COUNSEL TO AFFIX APPROPRIATE NOTARIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

FOR STATE IN WHICH LAND IS LOCATED.]

 

F-45


Exhibit A

Legal Description

[To be attached]

 

F-46


Exhibit B

Permitted Encumbrances

[To be attached]

 

F-47


Schedule 3.01(1)

Leases

[To be attached]

 

F-48

EX-4.2 3 dex42.htm SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES INDENTURE, DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 4.2

SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES INDENTURE

Dated as of May 28, 2010

Among

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC., as a Guarantor

AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.,

as a Subsidiary Guarantor,

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

11.50% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2018


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

(a)(2)

   7.10

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(a)(5)

   7.10

(b)

   7.10

(c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

(b)

   7.11

(c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

(b)

   12.03

(c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.06

(b)(1)

   13.04

(b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

(c)

   7.06; 12.02

(d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 4.04

(b)

   13.02

(c)(1)

   12.04

(c)(2)

   12.04

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   13.04; 13.05

(e)

   12.05

(f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

(b)

   7.05

(c)

   7.01

(d)

   7.07

(e)

   6.14

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

(a)(1)(A)

   6.05

(a)(1)(B)

   6.04

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   6.07

(c)

   1.05

317(a)(1)

   6.08

(a)(2)

   6.12

(b)

   N.A.

318(a)

   12.01

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   12.01

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.


Table of Contents

 

     Page

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   1

Section 1.01 Definitions

   1

Section 1.02 Other Definitions

   35

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

   35

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction

   36

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders

   36

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

   38

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms

   38

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication

   39

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent

   40

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

   40

Section 2.05 Holder Lists

   40

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange

   40

Section 2.07 Replacement Note

   50

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes

   50

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes

   50

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes

   50

Section 2.11 Cancellation

   51

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest

   51

Section 2.13 CUSIP/ISIN Numbers

   51

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION

   51

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee

   51

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to be Redeemed

   52

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption

   52

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption

   53

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price

   53

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part

   54

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption

   54

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption

   55

Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds

   55

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

   57

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes

   57

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency

   57

Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information

   57

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate

   58

Section 4.05 Taxes

   59

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

   59

Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments

   59

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

   67

Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

   69

Section 4.10 Asset Sales

   75

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates

   77

Section 4.12 Liens

   80

Section 4.13 Company Existence

   80

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

   80

Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

   82

Section 4.16 Limitation on Layering

   83

Section 4.17 Payment for Consent

   83


ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

   84

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

   84

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted

   85

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

   86

Section 6.01 Events of Default

   86

Section 6.02 Acceleration

   88

Section 6.03 Other Remedies

   89

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults

   89

Section 6.05 Control by Majority

   89

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits

   89

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

   89

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee

   89

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies

   90

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative

   90

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver

   90

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

   90

Section 6.13 Priorities

   90

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs

   91

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

   91

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee

   91

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee

   92

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee

   93

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer

   93

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults

   93

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders

   93

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity

   94

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee

   94

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

   95

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

   95

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer

   95

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

   96

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

   96

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge

   96

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance

   96

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

   97

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions

   98

Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuer

   99

Section 8.07 Reinstatement

   99

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

   99

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders

   99

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders

   100

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

   101

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents

   102

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes

   102

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

   102

ARTICLE 10 SUBORDINATION

   102

Section 10.01 Agreement to Subordinate

   102

Section 10.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

   103

Section 10.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer

   103

Section 10.04 Acceleration of Payment of Notes

   105

Section 10.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over

   105


Section 10.06 Subrogation

   105

Section 10.07 Relative Rights

   105

Section 10.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired

   105

Section 10.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent

   106

Section 10.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative

   106

Section 10.11 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Accelerate

   106

Section 10.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated

   106

Section 10.13 Trustee Entitled To Rely

   107

Section 10.14 Trustee To Effectuate Subordination

   107

Section 10.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer

   107

Section 10.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer on Subordination Provisions

   107

Section 10.17 Reinstatement; Third Party Beneficiaries

   108

ARTICLE 11 GUARANTEES

   108

Section 11.01 Guarantee

   108

Section 11.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability

   109

Section 11.03 Execution and Delivery

   110

Section 11.04 Subrogation

   110

Section 11.05 Benefits Acknowledged

   110

Section 11.06 Release of Guarantees by Subsidiary Guarantors

   110

Section 11.07 Release of Guarantee by Holdings

   111

ARTICLE 12 SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEES

   111

Section 12.01 Agreement To Subordinate

   111

Section 12.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

   111

Section 12.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor

   112

Section 12.04 Demand for Payment

   113

Section 12.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over

   114

Section 12.06 Subrogation

   114

Section 12.07 Relative Rights

   114

Section 12.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired

   114

Section 12.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent

   115

Section 12.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative

   115

Section 12.11 Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Demand Payment

   115

Section 12.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated

   115

Section 12.13 Trustee Entitled To Rely

   115

Section 12.14 Trustee To Effectuate Subordination

   116

Section 12.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of Guarantors

   116

Section 12.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor on Subordination Provisions

   116

Section 12.17 Reinstatement; Third Party Beneficiaries

   117

ARTICLE 13 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   117

Section 13.01 Satisfaction and Discharge

   117

Section 13.02 Application of Trust Money

   118

ARTICLE 14 MISCELLANEOUS

   118

Section 14.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls

   118

Section 14.02 Notices

   118

Section 14.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders

   119

Section 14.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

   119

Section 14.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

   120

Section 14.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents

   120

Section 14.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

   120

Section 14.08 Governing Law

   120

Section 14.09 Waiver of Jury Trial

   120

Section 14.10 Force Majeure

   120


Section 14.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

   121

Section 14.12 Successors

   121

Section 14.13 Severability

   121

Section 14.14 Counterpart Originals

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Section 14.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

   121


SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2010, among American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), as a Guarantor (as defined herein), Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., a California corporation (“Am-Pac”), as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined herein), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer (as defined herein) has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Issuer, Holdings and Am-Pac have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein);

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ABL Agent” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as “Agent” under the ABL Facility, and any successor thereto in such capacity.

ABL Facility” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement amended and restated on or about the Issue Date by and among Holdings, the Issuer, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder, the ABL Agent and the other agents party thereto, including any related notes, collateral documents, letters of credit and guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any appendices, exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing (as the same may be in effect from time to time), and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof (whether with the original agents and lenders or other agents or lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original credit agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise) and any indenture, guarantees, credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, exchange or refinance any part of the loans, notes, guarantees, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 of this Indenture).

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person,

(a) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person,

 

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including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

(b) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Additional Notes” means any additional Notes issued under this Indenture (other than the Initial Notes, or any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes) having the same terms in all respects as the Initial Notes except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance. Additional Notes and Initial Notes shall be part of the same class for all purposes of this Indenture.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering the Notes and that such participants have received the Letter of Transmittal and agree to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Issuer may enforce such agreement against such participants.

Am-Pac” as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Note at June 1, 2013 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(b) hereof, plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through June 1, 2013 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale” means:

(a) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction), of property or assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

 

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(b) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions; in each case, other than:

(i) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described under Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;

(iii) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof, including the making of any Permitted Investment;

(iv) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $10.0 million;

(v) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(vi) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;

(vii) the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ix) foreclosures, condemnation, expropriation or any similar action with respect to assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;

(x) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets (other than royalties or other revenues (except accounts receivable)) or related assets in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xi) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture;

(xii) the sale or discount of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable;

(xiii) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business, other than the licensing of intellectual property on a long-term basis;

(xiv) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xv) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

(xvi) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(xvii) the abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer are not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(xviii) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted by the covenant described under Section 4.09; and

(xix) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law.

Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of:

(a) 85% of the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(b) 70% of the aggregate book value of all inventory owned by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” means:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(a) United States dollars;

(b) (i) Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or

(ii) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(c) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(d) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(e) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c), (d) and (h) entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

(f) commercial paper rated at least “P-2” by Moody’s or at least “A-2” by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(g) marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least “P-2 or “A-2” from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);

(h) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(i) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(j) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated “AAA-” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “Aaa3” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency); and

(k) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (j) above.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (h) and clauses (j) and (k) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (a) through (k) and in this paragraph.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Transactions):

(a) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder; or

(b) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50.0% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme and its successors.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense of such Person, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and Capitalized Software Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) consolidated interest expense in respect of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (i) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (iii) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (iv) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (v) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (t) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in connection with the Transactions or any acquisition, (u) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (v) any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations, (w) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and discounted liabilities, (x) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees, (y) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Facility and (z) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities); plus

(b) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(c) interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication,

(a) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (effected either through cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive application, in each case, in accordance with GAAP) and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded;

(b) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments (including any disposal of abandoned or discontinued operations) or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business as determined in good faith by the Issuer shall be excluded;

(c) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or

 

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distributions or other payments that are actually paid in Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into Cash Equivalents) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and the net losses of any such Person shall only be included to the extent funded with cash from the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

(e) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue, debt line items and other noncash charges in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(f) any net after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (i) Indebtedness, (ii) Hedging Obligations or (iii) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

(g) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

(h) any non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs shall be excluded, and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration, or payout of Equity Interests by management of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with the Transactions, shall be excluded;

(i) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the Senior Notes and the ABL Facility), issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes, the Senior Notes and the ABL Facility) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful, shall be excluded;

 

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(j) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Issue Date that are so required to be established as a result of the Transactions (or within twelve months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition) in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded;

(k) any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment, acquisition or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier (without any right of appeal thereof) within 180 days and (ii) in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

(l) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount shall in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

(m) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification 815 shall be excluded;

(n) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation and transaction gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other monetary assets and liabilities shall be excluded; and

(o) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks (including government program rebates) shall be excluded.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

 

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Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding for the avoidance of doubt all undrawn amounts under revolving credit facilities and letters of credit and all obligations under Qualified Securitization Facilities and all Hedging Obligations) and (b) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer. The U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,

(a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;

(b) to advance or supply funds

(i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or

(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any Investor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Issuer and/or other companies.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is 10161 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida, 32256, Attention: American Tire Trustee, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

 

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Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes, each in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption or repurchase of or collection or payment on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer or the applicable parent company thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

Designated Senior Indebtedness” means:

(1) any Indebtedness outstanding under Senior Credit Facilities; and

(2) any other Senior Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture, the principal amount of which is $25.0 million or more and that has been specifically designated by the Issuer as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled

 

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Investment Affiliates (excluding TPG Capital, L.P. (but not excluding any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant)) or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the board of directors of the Issuer (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period

(a) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than clauses (ix) and (xii)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, franchise , excise and similar taxes, and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a) through (n) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”; plus

(ii) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains with respect to such obligations (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities and (z) amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (a)(t) through (z) in the definition thereof); plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iv) the amount of any restructuring charges, accruals or reserves; plus

(v) any other non-cash charges, including (A) any write offs or write downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, (B) equity-based awards compensation expense, (C) losses on sales, disposals or abandonment of, or any impairment charges or asset write-down or write-off related to, intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities and (D) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(vi) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary; plus

(vii) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination and transaction fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Management Fee Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof; plus

 

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(viii) the amount of extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual losses (including all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses, Transaction Expenses, integration costs, transition costs, pre-opening, opening, consolidation and closing costs for facilities, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, costs or accruals or reserves incurred in connection with acquisitions after the Issue Date, other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design and implementation costs), restructuring costs (including those incurred in connection with cost-saving pursuant to clause (ix) below and the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) and curtailments or modifications to pension and postretirement employee benefit plans; plus

(ix) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings and synergies projected by the Issuer in good faith to result from actions either taken or expected to be taken within 12 months after the end of such period (which cost savings and synergies shall be subject only to certification by management of the Issuer and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions (it is understood and agreed that “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken or expected to be taken, provided that some portion of such benefit is expected to be realized within 12 months of taking such action) (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma cost savings adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”); plus

(x) the amount of loss on sale of receivables, Securitization Assets and related assets to any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility; plus

(xi) any costs or expense incurred by Holdings, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus

(xii) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(xiii) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations.

(b) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period; plus

(ii) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period unless such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period; plus

 

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(iii) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations; plus

(iv) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains (less all fees and expenses relating thereto); and

(c) increased or decreased (without duplication) by, as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 460, Guarantees.

EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

(a) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;

(b) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(c) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer from:

(a) contributions to its common equity capital; and

(b) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer; in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Issuer in good faith.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or

 

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redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation, or consolidation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(b) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and

 

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(c) all dividends or other distributions paid or accrued (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof and any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets” means the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, as determined in accordance with GAAP in good faith by the Issuer, without intercompany eliminations between such Foreign Subsidiaries and the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which are in effect on the Issue Date.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Securities” means securities that are:

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Guarantor” means Holdings and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity

 

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swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement (including equity derivative agreements) providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, currency, commodity or equity risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.

Holdings” means American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent of the Issuer.

Immediate Family Members” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(a) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i) in respect of borrowed money;

(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(iii) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) due more than twelve months after such property is acquired, except (i) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid after becoming due and payable; or

(iv) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations; if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded.

(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (i) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (ii) obligations under or in respect of Qualified Securitization Facilities.

 

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Indenture” means this Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Indenture Obligations” means Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” as defined in the recitals hereto.

Interest Payment Date” means June 1 and December 1 of each year to stated maturity, commencing on December 1, 2010.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if the Notes are not then rated by Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(b) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(c) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(d) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers and distributors, commission, travel and similar advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

(a) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

(i) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less

 

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(ii) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(b) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.

The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.

Investors” means TPG Capital, L.P. and, if applicable, each of its Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed by it or its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means May 28, 2010.

Issuer” as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Issuer’s Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or place of payment. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a place of Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Management Fee Agreement” means the management services agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Investors or their advisors, if applicable, and the Issuer.

Management Stockholders” means the members of management (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer (or its direct parent) who are holders of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent companies of the Issuer on the Issue Date or shall become holders of such Equity Interests in connection with the Acquisition.

 

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Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, other fees and expenses, including title and recordation expenses, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Senior Indebtedness required (other than required by clause (i) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

Notes” means the Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of any Person. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer shall refer to an Officer of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer’s Certificate shall refer to a certificate of an Officer of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or the Trustee.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

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Permitted Asset Swap” means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and Management Stockholders and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and Management Stockholders, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture shall thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(c) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit or product line, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) that is engaged directly or through entities that shall be Restricted Subsidiaries in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets (or a division, business unit or product line, including any research and development and related assets in respect of any product) or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation consolidation or transfer;

(d) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(e) any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investment or binding commitment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification or renewal only (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(f) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(i) consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business; or

 

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(ii) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor or customer); or

(iii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons; or

(iv) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(g) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (x) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(h) any Investment in a Similar Business taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of Total Assets;

(i) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof;

(j) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(k) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (ii) and (v);

(l) Investments consisting of purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(m) additional Investments, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or have not subsequently sold or transferred for cash or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 3.5% of Total Assets;

(n) Investments in or relating to a Securitization Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Qualified Securitization Facility or any repurchase obligation in connection therewith;

(o) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $5.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(p) loans and advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses or payroll advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof;

 

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(q) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(r) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business;

(t) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contacts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business;

(v) repurchases of Notes and Exchange Notes;

(w) repurchases of Senior Notes and exchange notes in respect thereof; and

(x) investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection of deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices.

Permitted Junior Securities” means:

(1) Equity Interests in any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; or

(2) unsecured debt securities that are subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness (and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Indebtedness) to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Notes and the related Guarantees are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness under this Indenture;

provided that the term “Permitted Junior Securities” shall not include any securities distributed pursuant to a plan of reorganization if the Indebtedness under Senior Credit Facilities or the Senior Notes is treated as part of the same class as the Notes for purposes of such plan of reorganization; provided, further, that to the extent that any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Guarantors outstanding on the date of consummation of any such plan of reorganization is not paid in full in cash on such date, the holders of any such Senior Indebtedness not so paid in full in cash have consented to the terms of such plan of reorganization.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including

 

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obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Issue Date;

(e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(f) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv), (xii)(B), (xiii), (xxiii) or (xxiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (a) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) relate only to Obligations relating to Refinancing Indebtedness that (x) is secured by Liens on the same assets as the assets securing the Refinancing Indebtedness (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof) or (y) extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued under clause (iv) or (xii)(B) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, (b) Liens securing Obligations relating to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xxiii) of Section 4.09(b) extend only to the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries, (c) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xxiv) of Section 4.09(b) are solely on acquired property or the assets of the acquired entity, and (d) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof extend only to the assets so purchased, leased or improved and any accessions or extensions thereof;

 

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(g) Liens existing on the Issue Date or pursuant to agreements in existence on the Issue Date;

(h) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or other assets owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof);

(i) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(j) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

(k) Liens securing Hedging Obligations; provided that, with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(l) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods (other than tire inventory) and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(m) leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses, granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(n) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(p) Liens created in favor of any tire company vendor to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that encumber all or any part of such vendor’s inventory and any books and records, documents and instruments, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations and any proceeds or products relating to such inventory, in each case existing on the Issue Date or hereafter created and existing;

(q) Liens on accounts receivable, Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;

 

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(r) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h), and (i); provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus accessions, additions and improvements on such property (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof)), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (g), (h), and (i) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, and accrued and unpaid interest related to such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(s) deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(t) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $20.0 million and (ii) 1.25% of Total Assets determined as of the date of incurrence;

(u) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (e) of Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(v) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(w) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(x) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

(y) Liens encumbering reasonable customary deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(z) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(aa) Liens securing obligations owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any lender under the Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such a lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds;

(bb) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to capital stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(cc) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements with vendors for the sale or purchase of goods (other than tire inventory) entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(dd) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted;

(ee) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(ff) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(gg) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(hh) Liens on the assets of non-guarantor Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred; and

(ii) Liens arising solely from precautionary UCC financing statements or similar filings.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Qualified Proceeds” means the fair market value of assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business.

Qualified Securitization Facility” means any Securitization Facility that meets the following conditions: (a) the board of directors of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Securitization Facility (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is

 

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in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and the applicable Securitization Subsidiary, (b) all sales and/or contributions of Securitization Assets and related assets to the applicable Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and (c) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).

Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the May 15 and November 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Representative” means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor.

Requisite Holders” means (i) TCW for so long as it holds at least a majority of the then outstanding Notes or (ii) the Holders of at least 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes if TCW does not hold at least a majority of the then outstanding Notes.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or

 

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to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to the Notes.

Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Securitization Assets” means the accounts receivable, royalty or other revenue and other rights to payment and any other assets related thereto subject to a Qualified Securitization Facility and the proceeds thereof.

Securitization Facility” means any of one or more receivables securitization financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries

 

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(other than a Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or grants a security interest in its accounts receivable or assets related thereto to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization Facility.

Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Qualified Securitization Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Senior Credit Facilities” means, with respect to Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the ABL Facility, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

Senior Debt Ratio” means, as of the date of determination (the “Senior Debt Ratio Calculation Date”), the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, less an amount equal to the amount of any cash and Cash Equivalents of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, to (b) EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such date for which internal financial statements are available.

In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Senior Debt Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the Senior Debt Ratio Calculation Date, then the Senior Debt Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred immediately prior to the end of such most recent fiscal quarter end.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Senior Debt Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-

 

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quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Senior Debt Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized).

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of Holdings, the Issuer or any Guarantor outstanding under Senior Credit Facilities or Senior Notes and related Guarantees (including interest, fees and other charges accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of the Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest, fees or other charges is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(2) all Obligations of Holdings, the Issuer or any Guarantor in respect of Bank Products (or guarantees thereof) owing to the ABL Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent (as defined in the ABL Facility), a Lender (as defined in the ABL Facility) or any of their Affiliates (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Obligation was entered into);

(3) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to the ABL Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent (as defined in the ABL Facility), a Joint Lead Arranger (as defined in the ABL Facility), a Lender or any of their Affiliates (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into);

(4) any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(5) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4);

provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) any obligation of such Person to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(b) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(d) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(e) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture; provided, however that such Indebtedness shall be deemed not to have been incurred in violation of this Indenture for purposes of this clause if such Indebtedness consists of Designated Senior Indebtedness, and the holder(s) of such Indebtedness or their agent or representative (a) had no actual knowledge at the time of incurrence that the incurrence of such Indebtedness violated this Indenture and (b) shall have received a certificate from an officer of the Issuer to the effect that the incurrence of such Indebtedness does not violate the provisions of this Indenture.

Senior Notes” means $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.750% senior secured notes due 2017 issued by the Issuer and guaranteed by the Guarantors on the Issue Date.

Senior Registration Rights Agreement” means a registration rights agreement with respect to the Senior Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the initial purchasers of the Senior Notes.

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness” means:

(1) with respect to the Issuer, Indebtedness which ranks equal in right of payment to the Notes issued by the Issuer; and

(2) with respect to any Guarantor, Indebtedness which ranks equal in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Similar Business” means (a) any business engaged in by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, and (b) any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the Issue Date.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which

(i) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

 

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(ii) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. On the Issue Date, Am-Pac shall be the only Subsidiary Guarantor.

TCW” means TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners V, L.P., TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners VB, L.P., TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners VC, L.P. and TCW Capital Trust and their Affiliates.

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer or such other Person as may be expressly stated.

Transaction Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 20, 2010, by and among Holdings, Accelerate Holdings Corp., Accelerate Acquisition Corp. and Investcorp International, Inc. (as Stockholders Representative), as the same may be amended prior to the Issue Date.

Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, including payments to officers, employees and directors as change of control payments, severance payments, special or retention bonuses and charges for repurchase or rollover of, or modifications to, stock options.

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of the Notes, the issuance of the Senior Notes and borrowings under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date and other transactions in connection therewith or incidental thereto.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to June 1, 2013; provided that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-777bbbb).

Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(a) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and

(b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that

(i) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer;

(ii) such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and

(iii) each of (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (B) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

(a) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test or

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

(a) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

 

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(b) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100.0% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section

“Acceptable Commitment”

   4.10

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Applicable Premium Deficit”

   8.04

“Asset Sale Offer”

   4.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.14

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“Fixed Charge Coverage Test”

   4.07

“incur”

   4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Note Register”

   2.03

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

   4.10

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Redemption Date”

   3.01

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

“Second Commitment”

   4.10

“Successor Company”

   5.01

“Successor Person”

   5.01

“Treasury Capital Stock”

   4.07

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Notes and the Guarantees;

 

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indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including”, “includes” and similar words means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(f) “shall” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(h) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(j) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;

(k) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(l) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory purchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater.

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or

 

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more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuer may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuer may (but is not required to) fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any

 

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request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

Following (i) the termination of the Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Trustee of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof) and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer, the Trustee shall remove the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

 

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The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuer pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 hereof or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuer without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuer’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuer’s compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer of the Issuer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued or increased hereunder.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

 

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Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. The Issuer or any of its domestic Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes representing the Notes.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (ii) the Issuer, at its option and subject to the procedures of DTC, notifies the Trustee in writing

 

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that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes (although Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt of any certificate required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B)), (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default or (iv) upon the request of DTC in accordance with customary DTC procedures. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar

 

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of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial

 

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interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(2) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B), except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes

 

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delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

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If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE ISSUER OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(h) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14, and 9.05 hereof).

(iii) The Issuer shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date with respect to such Note and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note.

(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(v) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

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(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

Section 2.07 Replacement Note. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer, and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

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Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the disposal of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer upon its request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13 CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of

 

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redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof (or such shorter time as agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. This notice may be revoked prior to the date notice is mailed to the Holders.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Notes are listed on an exchange, in compliance with the requirements of such exchange or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or, if the pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem appropriate. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or mail or caused to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.07 hereof, notices of redemption may not be conditional.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed shall be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

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(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) the CUSIP and ISIN number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and ISIN number that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) if in connection with a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, any condition to such redemption.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

If the Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such redemption and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date, unless such redemption is conditioned on the happening of a future event, at the redemption price. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that Redemption Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon notice in accordance with Section 3.02 and 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   104.000

2014

   102.000

2015

   100.000

(c) Until June 1, 2013, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate original principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 111.50% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 50.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(d) Any redemption or notice of redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof.

(e) Except pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of this Section 3.07, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to June 1, 2013.

(f) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

 

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Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or send, by first-class mail a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuer, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

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(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in an amount not less than $2,000 are purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose certificated Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.

(f) The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that purchase date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful; provided that the interest shall be automatically increased by 2.00% per annum upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default; provided, further, that such default interest shall be ineffective if TCW does not own at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. TCW shall provide notice to the Trustee if it ceases to own at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within two Business Days of such a decrease in ownership

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC) from and after the Issue Date,

 

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(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, containing the information required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q containing all quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form; and

(iii) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports on Form 8-K, or any successor or comparable form,

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, within 15 days after the applicable time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. To the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Any report required to be delivered under clause (ii) of this Section 4.03(a) prior to the first date of delivery of a report pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 4.03(a) following the Issue Date shall not be required to contain all purchase accounting adjustments relating to the Transactions to the extent it is not practicable to include any such adjustments in such report.

(b) The Issuer shall be permitted to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to Holdings (or any parent entity of Holdings) as long as Holdings (or any such parent entity of Holdings) provides a Guarantee of the Notes; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Holdings, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements of this Section 4.03 shall be deemed satisfied by posting on the Issuer’s website or providing to the Trustee by the applicable date the Issuer would be required to file such information as specified above, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, to the extent posted within the times specified above.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the financial information for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2010 shall not be required to comply with Regulation S-X so long as it is prepared in a manner consistent with the financial information provided in the Offering Memorandum or include any purchase accounting adjustments or financial statement footnotes.

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Section 4.03 for purposes of clause (c) of Section 6.01 hereof until 90 days after the date any report is due under this Section 4.03.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or 30 days after such later date as specified in Section 4.03(a)(i)), a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that

 

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a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than five Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, other than:

(A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or

(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

 

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(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, other than:

(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

(B) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of such Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Test”); and

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (vi)(C), (ix) and (xiv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(1) 50.0% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on April 4, 2010 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100.0% of such deficit; plus

(2) 100.0% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Issuer, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

 

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(y) Designated Preferred Stock; and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such company or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or

(ii) debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Issuer; provided that this clause (B) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(3) 100.0% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer following the Issue Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary and other than any Excluded Contributions); plus

(4) 100.0% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) and repayments of loans or advances which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than, in each case, to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus

(5) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $15.0 million, shall be determined by the board of directors of the Issuer whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or other distribution or

 

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giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or other distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (B) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividend on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, exchange or other acquisition or retirement of (1) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor or (2) Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, that, in each case, is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any reasonable tender premium, defeasance costs and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;

(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(C) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired; and

(D) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct

 

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or indirect parent company of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any notes issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition), including any Equity Interest rolled over by management of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with the Transactions; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause does not exceed $5.0 million in the first fiscal year following the Issue Date (which amount shall be increased by $1.0 million each fiscal year thereafter and, if applicable, shall be increased to $10.0 million following the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering) (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years); provided, further, that each of the amounts in any fiscal year under this clause may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv); and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants of the Issuer (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies shall not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;

(B) the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which shall be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or

 

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series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by such parent company after the Issue Date, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(C) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 4.09(a);

(vii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 1.50% of Total Assets;

(viii) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) and any repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or required withholding or similar taxes;

(ix) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to fund a payment of dividends on such company’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Issuer’s common stock or the common stock of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer after the Issue Date, of up to 6.0% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Issuer in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(x) Restricted Payments in an amount equal to the amount of Excluded Contributions previously received;

(xi) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xi) not to exceed the greater of (a) $40.0 million and (b) 3.0% of Total Assets;

(xii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees;

(xiii) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto or owed to Affiliates, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

 

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(xiv) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions similar to those described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof; provided that all Notes validly tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(xv) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to pay, in each case without duplication,

(A) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;

(B) foreign, federal, state and local income and similar taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent company;

(C) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to employees, directors, officers and managers of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(D) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(E) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Issuer related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent company;

(F) amounts payable pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement, (including any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Fee Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date), solely to the extent such amounts are not paid directly by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries;

(G) cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer;

(H) to finance Investments that would otherwise permitted to be made pursuant to this Section 4.07 if made by the Issuer; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (B) such direct or indirect parent company shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired

 

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(whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (2) the merger or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof) in order to consummate such Investment, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction except to the extent the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with this Indenture, (D) any property received by the Issuer shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this Section 4.07(b) (other than pursuant to clause (x) of this Section 4.07(b)) or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments” (other than clause (i) thereof); and

(I) amounts that would be permitted to be paid by the Issuer under clauses (iv), (vii), (xii) and (xiii) (but, in the case of clause (xiii), only in respect of indemnities and expenses) of Section 4.11(b); provided that the amount of any dividend or distribution under this clause (xv)(I) to permit such payment shall reduce Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer to the extent, if any, that such payment would have reduced Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer and increase (or, without duplication of any reduction of Consolidated Net Income, decrease) EBITDA to the extent, if any, that Consolidated Net Income is reduced under this clause (xv)(I) and such payment would have been added back to (or, to the extent excluded from Consolidated Net Income, would have been deducted from) EBITDA if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer, in each case, in the period such payment is made;

(xvi) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are Cash Equivalents); and

(xvii) dividends or distributions to Holdings in order to defease, redeem, repurchase, exchange or otherwise acquire or retire Holdings’ 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013,

provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (xi) and (xvi) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the next to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof or under clause (vii), (x) or (xi) of Section 4.07(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.

(d) Unless a majority of the Holders have otherwise agreed, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (I) declare or pay any dividend or make

 

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any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s Equity Interests to any of the Investors, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation or (II) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer from any of the Investors, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, in each case with the cash proceeds from the issuance of Indebtedness by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a “Debt-Financed Distribution”), unless (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to the Issuer’s ability to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 4.07(a) and to incur such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09) the Issuer has first made an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 hereof) (a “Buyout Offer”) to all Holders to repurchase the Notes held by them at a price in cash equal to 100.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. If TCW does not accept the Buyout Offer, such Debt-Financed Distribution can proceed without limitation and the Issuer shall only be obligated to purchase Notes that are tendered for purchase by Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.07(d) shall only apply for so long as TCW owns at least a majority of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the ABL Facility and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations, the Senior Notes and the related indenture;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the guarantees thereof;

(iii) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;

(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

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(v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries or the property or assets so acquired;

(vi) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(vii) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(viii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof;

(x) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements relating solely to such joint venture;

(xi) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) restrictions created in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect such Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xiii) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that are the subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;

(xiv) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or Securitization Subsidiary which was previously an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that such Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Subsidiary;

 

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(xv) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09; provided that, in the judgment of the Issuer, such incurrence shall not materially impair the Issuer’s ability to make payments on the Notes when due; and

(xvi) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xv) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Issuer’s most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, further that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may only incur Senior Indebtedness if the Senior Debt Ratio at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to:

(i) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Senior Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(i) without duplication, does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (A) $650.0 million and (B) the Borrowing Base at the time such debt is incurred;

(ii) (A) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any guarantee thereof) (but excluding any Additional Notes) and (B) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Senior Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Senior Notes and the related guarantees pursuant to the Senior Notes Registration Rights Agreement;

 

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(iii) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.09(b)) and for purposes of clause (xiii) below, (vii) through (ix) and any of the Issuer’s Floating Rate Notes due 2012 or 10  3/4 Senior Notes due 2013 outstanding on the Issue Date)1;

(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or other assets, including assets that are used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued and outstanding under this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (A) $45.0 million and (B) 2.5% of Total Assets (in each case, determined at the date of incurrence) at any time outstanding;

(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnouts or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet shall not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (vi));

(vii) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

 

 

1

 

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(viii) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Subsidiary Guarantor; provided, further, that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(ix) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause;

(x) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(xi) obligations in respect of self-insurance and obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference up to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (C)(2) and (C)(3) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clause (a) and (c) of the definition thereof) and (B) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B), does not at any one time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $80.0 million and (y) 4.75% of Total Assets (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii)(B) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xii)(B));

(xiii) the incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, the issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Disqualified Stock or the issuance by any Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock which serves to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease

 

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any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (xii)(A) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (xiii) and clauses (xiv) and (xxiv) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased;

(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases (i) Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee thereof at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively; and

(C) shall not include:

(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer;

(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(3) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

and, provided, further, that subclause (A) of this clause (xiii) shall not apply to any extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of any Secured Indebtedness.

(xiv) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the case of (A) and (B), after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation either

(1) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) and, if such Indebtedness is Senior Indebtedness, the Senior Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.50:1.00, or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer on a pro forma basis is greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and is at least 1.50:1;

 

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(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to Credit Facilities that is incurred under clause (i) of this Section 4.09(b), in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(xvii) (A) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or

(B) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuer; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;

(xviii) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers and consultants thereof, their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;

(xix) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(xx) Indebtedness in respect of Bank Products provided by banks or other financial institutions to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xxi) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms on a recourse basis;

(xxii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(xxiii) (A) the incurrence of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding, 5.0% of the Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets and (B) the incurrence of Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the Borrowing Base of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries; provided that any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (B) shall only be permitted to be used for working capital purposes of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries;

(xxiv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance or assumed in connection with an acquisition in a principal amount not to exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding together with all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued under this clause (xxiv) (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xxiv) shall cease to be deemed incurred, issued or outstanding for

 

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purposes of this clause (xxiv) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xxiv)); and

(xxv) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business.

(c) Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not Guarantors may not incur Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Sections 4.09(a) if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or issuance (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the aggregate amount of Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.09(a), would exceed $40.0 million.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under Section 4.09(a) hereof; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and

(ii) at the time of incurrence, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b) hereof.

Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the same class shall not be deemed to be an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (A) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (B) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

 

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The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

This Indenture shall not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate an Asset Sale, unless:

(i) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined by the Issuer at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75.0% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Issuer and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale; and

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.25% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

 

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(b) Within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale,

(i) to reduce:

(A) Obligations under Senior Indebtedness; or

(B) Obligations under the Notes and any other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness on a pro rata basis; provided that all reductions of or offers to reduce Obligations under the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07 or through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100.0% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 and Section 4.10(d) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be repurchased; or

(C) If the assets subject of such Asset Sale are property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures or (C) acquisitions of other assets, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), used or useful in a Similar Business; or

(iii) to make an Investment in (A) any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) properties or (C) acquisitions of other assets that, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C), replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, a binding commitment entered into not later than such 450th day shall extend the period for such Investment or other payment for an additional 180 days after the end of such 450-day period so long as the Issuer or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within such 180-day period; provided, further, that (x) if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied or (y) such Net Proceeds are not actually so invested or paid in accordance with clauses (ii) or (iii) above by the end of such 180-day period, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds on the date of such cancellation or termination, or such 180th day, as applicable.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) hereof shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer to

 

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all Holders and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is in an amount equal to at least $2,000, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $20.0 million by delivering the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days (or such longer period provided above) or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $20.0 million or less.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with adjustments as needed for selection of authorized minimum denominations) based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds that resulted in the Asset Sale Offer shall be reset to zero.

(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the holder of such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(e) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

The provisions of this Section 4.10 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $7.5 million, unless:

(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and

 

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(ii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $15.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) of this Section 4.11(a).

(b) The provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:

(i) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(iii) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Management Fee Agreement, or, in each case, any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Fee Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided on behalf of or for the benefit of, current or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

(vi) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

(vii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole;

 

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(viii) the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including Transaction Expenses;

(ix) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services that are Affiliates, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(x) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or to any Permitted Holder or to any employee, director, officer, manager, distributor or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(xi) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets or related assets in connection with or any Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xii) payments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith;

(xiii) payments and Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of any Restricted Subsidiary to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement; and any employment agreements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or arrangements with any such employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith;

(xiv) investments by any of the Investors in securities of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Investors in connection therewith) so long as (A) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (B) the investment constitutes less than 5.0% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities;

(xv) payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, any cash management activities related thereto);

(xvi) payments by the Issuer (and any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Issuer (and any such parent company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted

 

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Subsidiaries (to the extent of amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity;

(xvii) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Issuer, as lessor, which is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith; and

(xviii) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business.

Section 4.12 Liens.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor ranking pari passu with or subordinated to the Notes or any related guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

 

  (1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

 

  (2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (a) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees and (b) Liens securing Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor.

(b) Any Lien created for the benefit of Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the Liens described in clauses (1) and (2) above.

Section 4.13 Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its company existence (for the avoidance of doubt the Issuer may convert into a limited liability company; provided that there is a corporate co-issuer entity), and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the Security Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:

(a) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer shall be accepted for payment by the Issuer;

 

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(b) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(c) that any Note not properly tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(d) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(e) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(f) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes, provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(g) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes shall be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;

(h) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(i) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.14 that a Holder must follow.

The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

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(j) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by law:

(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

(iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuer.

(k) The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(m) In the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Issuer is prohibited by the terms of any Senior Indebtedness from purchasing Notes, then notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuer (x) shall have 30 days following the Change of Control to mail the notice of a Change of Control to holders of Notes, and (y) shall undertake, within 30 days following any Change of Control, to (1) repay in full all Obligations, and terminate all commitments, under the ABL Facility and all other Senior Indebtedness, the terms of which require repayment and/or termination of commitments upon a Change of Control or offer to repay in full all Obligations, and terminate all commitments, under the ABL Facility and all other such Senior Indebtedness and to repay the Obligations owed to (and terminate all commitments of) each lender which has accepted such offer or (2) obtain the requisite consents under the agreements governing such Senior Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes. If such a consent is not obtained or borrowings repaid, the Issuer shall remain prohibited from purchasing the Notes. The Issuer shall first comply with this clause (m) before it shall be required to repurchase Notes pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 4.14. The Issuer’s failure to comply with this clause (m) may (with notice and lapse of time) constitute an Event of Default described in clause (3) of Section 6.01 hereof, but shall not constitute an Event of Default described in clause (1) of Section 6.01 hereof.

(n) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06, hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.

The provisions of this Section 4.14, and the definition of “Change of Control,” may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign

 

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Subsidiary (except any Foreign Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer under the ABL Facility) or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

(a) such Restricted Subsidiary, within 30 days after the guarantee of such Indebtedness, executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and

(b) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;

provided that this covenant shall not be applicable to (i) any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) guarantees of any Qualified Securitization Facility by any Restricted Subsidiary. The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 30 day period described in clause (1) above.

Section 4.16 Limitation on Layering.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinate in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is either:

 

  (1) equal in right of payment with the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes, as the case may be; or

 

  (2) expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes, as the case may be.

(b) For the purposes of this Indenture, Indebtedness that is unsecured shall not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured and Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral regardless of whether such lien subordination is effective notwithstanding the validity or enforceability of the Liens on such collateral.

Section 4.17 Payment for Consent. Neither the Issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any cash consideration to any Holder for any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered and is paid to all Holders that are QIBs that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made, is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(ii) the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments;

(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

(A) the Successor Company or the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test hereof, or

(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer immediately prior to such transaction;

(v) each Guarantor, unless it is a Subsidiary Guarantor that is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(i)(B) shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(vi) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Issuer under this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,

(i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor (or to a Restricted Subsidiary if that Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor); and

(iii) the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Issuer in the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

(c) Subject to Section 11.06 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors, the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof.

(d) Subject to Section 11.06 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (1) merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer, (2) merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Subsidiary Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (3) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the foregoing clauses do not apply to the Transactions or any related transaction occurring on the Issue Date.

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to

 

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which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of this Indenture);

(b) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of this Indenture);

(c) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or Requisite Holders to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(d) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(e) failure by Holdings, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the

 

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most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(f) Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), in a proceeding in which Holdings, the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), or for all or substantially all of the property of Holdings, the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) orders the liquidation of Holdings, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(h) the Guarantee of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the

 

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most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of Holdings or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary) (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statement of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.

Section 6.02 Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than a type specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Requisite Holders may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that so long as any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 of this Indenture as part of Senior Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, no such acceleration shall be effective until the earlier of:

(1) acceleration of any such Indebtedness under Senior Credit Facilities; or

(2) five Business Days after the giving of written notice of such acceleration to the Issuer and the Representative under Senior Credit Facilities.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest shall be due and payable immediately.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, the Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the best judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the best interests of the Holders.

The Requisite Holders by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under this Indenture except if such rescission would not conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (d) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(a) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(b) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(c) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

 

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Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Requisite Holders by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority. The Requisite Holders may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(b) the Requisite Holders have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) the Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(e) the Requisite Holders have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

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Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13 Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(a) to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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(b) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(c) to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

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(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(k) The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor, or liability in connective with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g)hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 310;

 

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(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, at the expense of the Issuer, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16 and 4.17 hereof, clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) and Article 13 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly,

 

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by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(g) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date, provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purpose of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any defeasance shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);

(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(ii) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(d) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any Senior Credit Facilities, or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds shall not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(g) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(h) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(d) to provide the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(f) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;

(i) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

 

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(j) to add a Guarantor under this Indenture;

(k) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes; or

(l) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof are not redemptions of the Notes);

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(d) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(g) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(h) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(i) make any change in the subordination provisions of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(j) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of Holdings or any Significant Subsidiary in any manner materially adverse to the Holders.

No amendment to or waiver of (i) the subordination provisions of this Indenture (or the component definitions used therein) that are adverse to the lenders under Senior Credit Facilities or (ii) this sentence may be made without the consent of the Required Lenders (as defined in the ABL Facility) and the holders of a majority of the other Indebtedness in respect of Senior Credit Facilities of the Issuer and the Guarantors (or their Representative(s)). Each holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this paragraph.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies in all material respects with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

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Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) for the Trustee to execute any a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

SUBORDINATION

Section 10.01 Agreement to Subordinate.

The Issuer agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, that the payment of all Obligations owing in respect of the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The Notes shall in all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all

 

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existing and future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer, and shall be senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer; and only Indebtedness of the Issuer that is Senior Indebtedness shall rank senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All provisions of this Article 10 shall be subject to Section 10.12.

Section 10.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Issuer upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution or receivership, arrangement, reorganization, insolvency or bankruptcy or similar proceeding relating to the Issuer or its property or assets:

 

  (i) the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness before Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character with respect to any Obligations on, or relating to the Notes;

 

  (ii) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is paid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under Senior Indebtedness have been terminated, any payment or distribution to which Holders would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of this Indenture shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Holder, except that Holders may receive Permitted Junior Securities; and

 

  (iii) if a distribution is made to Holders that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Holders are required to hold it in trust for the holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and pay it over to them on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Holder.

In the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, readjustment, reorganization or other similar proceedings relative to the Issuer, if any Holder has not filed any claim, proof of claim or other instrument of similar character necessary to enforce the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes held by such Holder within 15 days before the expiration of the time to file the same, then and in such event, but only in such event, the Representatives under any Designated Senior Indebtedness may, as an attorney-in-fact for such Holder, file any claim, proof of claim or such other instrument of similar character on behalf of such Holder, and such Holder, by such Holder’s acceptance of such Holder’s Note, appoints each such Representative of Designated Senior Indebtedness as an attorney-in-fact for such Holder, to so file any claim, proof of claim or such other instrument of similar character. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder shall nevertheless retain all rights to enforce and to vote such claim, proof of claim or other instrument in its capacity as the Holder.

Section 10.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer.

The Issuer shall not pay, directly or indirectly, principal (including any accretion) of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (or pay any other Obligations relating to the Notes, including fees, costs, expenses, indemnities and rescission or damage claims) or make any deposit pursuant to Article 8 or Article 13 hereof and may not purchase, redeem or otherwise retire or acquire for cash or property any Notes (collectively, “pay the Notes”) (except in the form of Permitted Junior Securities) if either of the following occurs (a “Payment Default”):

 

  (i) any Obligation on any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is not paid in full in cash when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace period); or

 

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  (ii) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms;

unless, in either case, the Payment Default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under the Designated Senior Indebtedness have been terminated. Regardless of the foregoing, the Issuer is permitted to pay the Notes if the Issuer and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representatives of all Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Payment Default has occurred and is continuing.

During the continuance of any default other than a Payment Default (a “Non-Payment Default”) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Issuer is not permitted to pay the Notes (except in the form of Permitted Junior Securities) for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuer) of written notice (a “Blockage Notice”) of such Non-Payment Default from the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter. So long as there shall remain outstanding any Senior Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities, a Blockage Notice may be given only by the respective Representatives thereunder unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the requisite lenders named therein. The Payment Blockage Period shall end earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuer from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice; (ii) because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is cured, waived or otherwise no longer continuing in accordance with the applicable documents evidencing or related to such Designated Senior Indebtedness; or (iii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under the Designated Senior Indebtedness have been terminated.

Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding two sentences (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 10.03 and Section 10.02 hereof), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or a Payment Default otherwise exists, the Issuer is permitted to resume paying the Notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. The Notes shall not be subject to more than one Payment Blockage Period in any consecutive 360-day period irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer during such period; provided that if any Blockage Notice is delivered to the Trustee by or on behalf of the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (other than the holders of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility), a Representative of holders of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility may in the aggregate give one other Blockage Notice within such period. However, in no event shall the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods on the Notes is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any consecutive 360 day period, and there must be at least 181 days during any consecutive 360 day period during which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been waived for a period of not less than 90 days (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action, or any breach of any financial covenants during the period after the date of delivery of a Blockage Notice, that, in either case, would give rise to a Non-Payment Default pursuant to any provisions under which a Non-Payment Default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new Non-Payment Default for this purpose).

 

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Section 10.04 Acceleration of Payment of Notes.

If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness of the acceleration; provided that any failure to give such notice shall have no effect whatsoever on the provisions of this Article 10. If any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is outstanding, the Issuer may not pay the Notes until five Business Days after the Representatives of all the issuers of such Designated Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay the Notes only if this Indenture otherwise permits payment at that time.

Section 10.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

If a distribution is made to Holders that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Holders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 10.06 Subrogation.

After all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is paid in full and all commitments to extend credit under the Senior Indebtedness have been terminated and until the Notes are paid in full, in the event cash or other property otherwise payable to the Holders under the Notes shall have in fact been applied pursuant to this Indenture to the Senior Indebtedness, Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to such Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article 10 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the Issuer and Holders, a payment by the Issuer on such Senior Indebtedness. In no event, however, shall the Holders have any rights or claims against any Representative or any holder of the Senior Indebtedness for any alleged impairment of the subrogation rights granted hereunder.

Section 10.07 Relative Rights.

This Article 10 defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

 

  (i) impair, as between the Issuer and Holders, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal (and any accretion) of and interest on the Notes in accordance with their terms;

 

  (ii) prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to receive payments or distributions otherwise payable to Holders and such other rights of such holders of Senior Indebtedness as set forth herein; or

 

  (iii) affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of the Issuer other than their rights in relation to holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 10.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Issuer or by their

 

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failure to comply with this Indenture. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination herein provided shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any failure to act on the part of the holders of any Senior Indebtedness, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder of Senior Indebtedness may have or be otherwise charged with or any amendment or modification of or supplement to the Senior Credit Facilities or any exercise or non-exercise of any right, power or remedy under or in respect of the Senior Indebtedness.

Section 10.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

Notwithstanding Section 10.03 hereof, the Trustee or any Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Notes and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to him that payments may not be made under this Article 10; provided that the foregoing provisions shall not relieve the Holders of their obligations under Section 10.05. The Issuer, the Registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be entitled to give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer has a Representative, only the Representative shall be entitled to give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity shall be entitled to hold Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 10 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 10 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof or any other Section of this Indenture.

Section 10.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative.

Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 10.11 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Accelerate.

The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Notes by reason of any provision in this Article 10 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article 10 shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Notes.

Section 10.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of Government Securities held in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal (including any accretion) of and interest on the Notes pursuant to Article 8 or Article 13 hereof shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 10, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Issuer or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other creditor of the Issuer, provided that the subordination provisions of this Article 10 were not violated at the time the applicable amounts were deposited in trust pursuant to Article 8 or Article 13 hereof, as the case may be.

 

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Section 10.13 Trustee Entitled To Rely.

Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely (a) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02 hereof are pending, (b) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders or (c) upon the Representatives of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 10. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee shall be entitled to request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 10, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee shall be en-titled to defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 hereof shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 10.

Section 10.14 Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.

A Holder by its acceptance of a Note agrees to be bound by this Article 10 and authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee, on his behalf, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination between the Holders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer as provided in this Article 10 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 10.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders or the Issuer or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 10 or otherwise.

Section 10.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer on Subordination Provisions.

Each Holder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness. The Holders shall not challenge the validity or enforceability of the subordination provisions set forth in this Article 10 or any other provisions of this Indenture.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Trustee or the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 10 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, do any one or more of the following: (i)

 

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change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer, or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the payment or collection of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Issuer and any other Person.

Section 10.17 Reinstatement; Third Party Beneficiaries.

(1) The provisions of this Article 10 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Senior Indebtedness is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any holder of Senior Indebtedness (whether prior to or after payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness) upon the receivership, arrangement, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding of the Issuer or any Guarantor as though such payment had not been made.

(2) The provisions of this Article 10 shall continue to be effective during any period in which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or when there are commitments to extend credit under the Senior Credit Facilities and thereafter in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph of this Article 10. Each Representative and holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Article 10 (and the related defined terms) and this Article 10 (and related defined terms) shall not be amended except in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 9.02 hereof.

ARTICLE 11

GUARANTEES

Section 11.01 Guarantee. Subject to this Article 11, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 11.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general senior subordinated obligation of such Guarantor and shall rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 11.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation, for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws

 

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and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 11, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, or similar limitation, under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

Section 11.03 Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President or Treasurer, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable.

Section 11.04 Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 11.05 Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 11.06 Release of Guarantees by Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness under a guarantee (other than a guarantee of the ABL Facility) that resulted in the creation of

 

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such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15) (notwithstanding the foregoing, a Guarantee provided by a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Issue Date may not be released and discharged pursuant to this Section 11.06(a)(ii));

(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(b) such Subsidiary Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 11.07 Release of Guarantee by Holdings. The Guarantee by Holdings shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(a) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(b) Holdings delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 12

SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTEES

Section 12.01 Agreement To Subordinate.

Each Guarantor agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee are subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 12, to the prior payment in full of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. A Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee shall in all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, and shall be senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor; and only Indebtedness of such Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness shall rank senior to the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All provisions of this Article 12 shall be subject to Section 12.12.

Section 12.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy.

Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of a Guarantor upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution or receivership, arrangement, reorganization, insolvency or bankruptcy or similar proceeding relating to such Guarantor or its property or assets:

(1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness before Holders shall be entitled to receive any payment or distribution of any kind or character with respect to any Obligations on or relating to, the Guarantee;

 

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(2) until the Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor is paid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under the Senior Indebtedness have been terminated, any payment or distribution to which Holders would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of this Indenture shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such holder, except that Holders may receive Permitted Junior Securities; and

(3) if a distribution is made to Holders that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Holders are required to hold it in trust for the holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor and pay it over to them on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Holder.

In the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, readjustment, reorganization or other similar proceedings relative to any Guarantor, if any Holder has not filed any claim, proof of claim or other instrument of similar character necessary to enforce the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee held by such Holder within 15 days before the expiration of the time to file the same, then and in such event, but only in such event, the Representatives under any Designated Senior Indebtedness may, as an attorney-in-fact for such Holder, file any claim, proof of claim or such other instrument of similar character on behalf of such Holder, and such Holder, by such Holder’s acceptance of such Holder’s Note, appoints each such Representative of Designated Senior Indebtedness as an attorney-in-fact for such Holder, to so file any claim, proof of claim or such other instrument of similar character. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder shall nevertheless retain all rights to enforce and to vote such claim, proof of claim or other instrument in its capacity as the Holder.

Section 12.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor.

A Guarantor shall not, directly or indirectly, make any payment pursuant to its Guarantee (or pay any other Obligations relating to its Guarantee, including fees, costs, expenses, indemnities and rescission or damage claims) and may not purchase, redeem or otherwise retire or acquire for cash or property any Notes (collectively, “pay its Guarantee”) (except in the form of Permitted Junior Securities) if either of the following occurs (a “Guarantor Payment Default”):

(1) any Obligation on any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor is not paid in full in cash when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace period); or

(2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms;

unless, in either case, the Guarantor Payment Default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under the Designated Senior Indebtedness have been terminated. Regardless of the foregoing, such Guarantor is permitted to pay its Guarantee if such Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representatives of all Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Guarantor Payment Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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During the continuance of any default other than a Guarantor Payment Default (a “Non-Guarantor Payment Default”) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, such Guarantor is not permitted to pay its Guarantee (except in the form of Permitted Junior Securities) for a period (a “Guarantee Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to such Guarantor and the Issuer) of written notice (a “Guarantee Blockage Notice”) of such Non-Guarantor Payment De-fault from the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Guarantee Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter. So long as there shall remain outstanding any Senior Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or any commitment to extend credit thereunder has not been terminated, a Guarantee Blockage Notice may be given only by the respective Representatives thereunder unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the requisite lenders named therein. The Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall end earlier if such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee, the relevant Guarantor and the Issuer from the Person or Persons who gave such Guarantee Blockage Notice; (ii) because the default giving rise to such Guarantee Blockage Notice is cured, waived or otherwise no longer continuing in accordance with the applicable documents evidencing or related to such Designated Senior Indebtedness; or (iii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash and all commitments to extend credit under the Designated Senior Indebtedness have been terminated.

Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding two sentences (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 12.03 and Section 12.02 hereof), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or a Payment Default otherwise exists, the relevant Guarantor is permitted to resume paying its Guarantee after the end of such Guarantee Payment Blockage Period. Each Guarantee shall not be subject to more than one Guarantee Payment Blockage Period in any consecutive 360-day period irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor during such period; provided that if any Guarantee Blockage Notice is delivered to the Trustee by or on behalf of the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor (other than the holders of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility), a Representative of holders of Indebtedness under the ABL Facility may in the aggregate give one other Guarantee Blockage Notice within such period. However, in no event shall the total number of days during which any Guarantee Payment Blockage Period or Periods on a Guarantee is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any consecutive 360 day period, and there must be at least 181 days during any consecutive 360 day period during which no Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Guarantee Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Guarantee Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been waived for a period of not less than 90 days (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action, or any breach of any financial covenants during the period after the date of delivery of a Guarantee Blockage Notice, that, in either case, would give rise to a Non-Guarantor Payment Default pursuant to any provisions under which a Non-Guarantor Payment Default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new Non-Guarantor Payment Default for this purpose).

Section 12.04 Demand for Payment.

If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default and a demand for payment is made on a Guarantor pursuant to Article 11 hereof, the Issuer or such Guarantor shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor or the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness of such demand; provided that any failure to give such notice shall have

 

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no effect whatsoever on the provisions of this Article 12. If any Designated Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor is outstanding, such Guarantor may not pay its Guarantee until five Business Days after the Representatives of such Designated Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay its Guarantee only if this Indenture otherwise permits payment at that time.

Section 12.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over.

If a distribution is made to Holders that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Holders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 12.06 Subrogation.

After all Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor is paid in full and all commitments to extend credit under the Senior Indebtedness have been terminated and until the Notes are paid in full, in the event cash or other property otherwise payable to Holders under the Notes shall have in fact been applied pursuant to this Indenture to the Senior Indebtedness, Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to such Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article 12 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders is not, as between the relevant Guarantor and Holders, a payment by such Guarantor on such Senior Indebtedness. In no event, however, shall the Holders have any rights or claims against any Representative or any holder of the Senior Indebtedness for any alleged impairment of subrogation rights granted hereunder.

Section 12.07 Relative Rights.

This Article 12 defines the relative rights of Holders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(1) impair, as between such Guarantor and Holders, the obligation of such Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, to make payments under its Guarantee in accordance with its terms;

(2) prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising its available remedies upon a default by such Guarantor under its obligations with respect to its Guarantee, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor to receive payments or distributions other-wise payable to Holders and such other rights of such holders of Senior Indebtedness as set forth herein; or

(3) affect the relative rights of Holders and creditors of such Guarantor other than their rights in relation to holders of Senior Indebtedness.

Section 12.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor to enforce the subordination of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by such Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination herein provided shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any failure to act on the part of the holders of any Senior Indebtedness, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder of Senior Indebtedness may have or be otherwise charged with or any amendment or modification of or supplement to the Senior Credit Facilities or any exercise or non-exercise of any right, power or remedy under or in respect of the Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Section 12.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.

Notwithstanding Section 12.03 hereof, the Trustee or any Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Notes and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to him that payments may not be made under this Article 12; provided that the foregoing provisions shall not relieve the Holders of their obligations under Section 12.05. A Guarantor, the Registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor shall be entitled to give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor has a Representative, only the Representative shall be entitled to give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity shall be entitled to hold Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 12 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 12 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof or any other Section of this Indenture.

Section 12.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative.

Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 12.11 Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Demand Payment.

The failure of a Guarantor to make a payment pursuant its Guarantee by reason of any provision in this Article 12 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a default by such Guarantor under its Guarantee. Nothing in this Article 12 shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to make a demand for payment on a Guarantor pursuant to Article 11 hereof.

Section 12.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of Government Securities held in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes pursuant to Article 8 or Article 13 hereof shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of any Guarantor or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 12, and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to such Guarantor or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor or any other creditor of such Guarantor, provided that the subordination provisions of this Article 12 were not violated at the time the applicable amounts were deposited in trust pursuant to Article 8 or Article 13 hereof, as the case may be

Section 12.13 Trustee Entitled To Rely.

Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely (a) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings

 

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of the nature referred to in Section 12.02 hereof are pending, (b) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Holders or (c) upon the Representatives of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of such Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 12. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee shall be entitled to request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 12, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee shall be entitled to defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 hereof shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 12.

Section 12.14 Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.

A Holder by its acceptance of a Note agrees to be bound by this Article 12 and authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee, on his behalf, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination between the Holders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor as provided in this Article 12 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 12.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of Guarantors.

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders or such Guarantor or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 12 or otherwise.

Section 12.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor on Subordination Provisions.

Each Holder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness. The Holders shall not challenge the validity or enforceability of the subordination provisions set forth in this Article 12 or any other provisions of this Indenture.

Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Trustee or the Holders and with-out impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 12 or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with

 

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any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the payment or collection of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against such Guarantor and any other Person.

Section 12.17 Reinstatement; Third Party Beneficiaries.

(1) The provisions of this Article 12 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Senior Indebtedness is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any holder of Senior Indebtedness (whether prior to or after payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness) upon the receivership, arrangement, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding of the Issuer or any Guarantor as though such payment had not been made.

(2) The provisions of this Article 12 shall continue to be effective during any period in which Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or when there are commitments to extend credit under the Senior Credit Facilities and thereafter in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph of this Article 12. Each Representative and holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Article 12 (and the related defined terms) and this Article 12 (and related defined terms) shall not be amended except in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 9.2 hereof.

ARTICLE 13

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 13.01 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purpose of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any satisfaction and discharge shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);

 

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(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any Senior Credit Facilities, or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(iii) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(iv) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (i) of clause (b) of this Section 13.01, the provisions of Section 13.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 13.02 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 13.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 13.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 14

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 14.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 14.02 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuer, Holdings, Am-Pac and/or any Guarantor:

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Attention: David Dyckman

Fax No.: 704-992-1451

 

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If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Attention: American Tire Trustee

Fax No.: 904-645-1921

The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and, subject to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, on the final date on which publication is made, if given by publication.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 14.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 14.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 14.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

- 119 -


(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 14.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 14.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 14.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 14.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 14.08 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 14.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 14.10 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by,

 

- 120 -


directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 14.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 14.12 Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.06 or Section 11.07 hereof.

Section 14.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 14.14 Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.

Section 14.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

[Signatures on following page]

 

- 121 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Indenture as of the Closing Date.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

Name:   J. Michael Gaither
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

Name:   J. Michael Gaither
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.
By:  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

Name:   J. Michael Gaither
Title:   Vice President and Secretary

 

- 122 -


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Christie Leppert

Name:   Christie Leppert
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

- 123 -


EXHIBIT A

[face of Senior Subordinated Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP

ISIN

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing

11.50% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018

 

No.

   [$     

American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                      or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Senior Note attached hereto] [of                      United States Dollars] on June 1, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1, commencing on December 1, 2010

Record Dates: May 15 and November 15

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Date:

 

A-4


[Back of Senior Subordinated Note]

11.50% Senior Subordinated Note due 2018

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) Interest. American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 11.50% from May 28, 2010 until maturity. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year beginning December 1, 2010, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer shall make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including May 28, 2010. The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; provided that the interest shall be increased automatically by 2.00% per annum upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default; provided, further, that such default interest shall be ineffective if TCW does not own at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. TCW shall provide notice to the Trustee if it ceases to own at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding within two Business Days of such a decrease in ownership.

(2) Method of Payment. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes shall be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018. The

 

A-5


Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes in accordance with Sections 2.01, 4.09 and 4.12 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(5) Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) hereof, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option.

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(c) On or after June 1, 2013, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   104.000

2014

   102.000

2015

   100.000

(d) Until June 1, 2013, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 111.50% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 50.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. If any Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

A-6


(6) Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 13 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. No Notes of less than $2,000 can be redeemed in part, except that if all the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption.

(8) Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

(9) Subordination. The Notes and the Guarantees are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid before the Notes and Guarantees may be paid. The Issuer agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

(10) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

(11) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(12) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

(13) Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Requisite Holders may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, the Requisite Holders may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Requisite Holders by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default or

 

A-7


and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required within five Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

(14) Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

(15) Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

(16) CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:  

 

  (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                 to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                                 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.10 [    ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                    

Date:

 

Your Signature:   

 

  
   (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)   
Tax Identification No.:   

 

  
Signature Guarantee*:   

 

  

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $            . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of  this
Global
Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of  this
Global
Note
   Principal
Amount of  this
Global
Note following
such decrease
or increase
   Signature  of
authorized
officer of
Trustee or
Custodian
           
           
           

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Facsimile: 904-645-1921

Attention: American Tire Trustee

 

Re:    11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer

 

B-1


is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:            ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:            ]), or

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

2. After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:

[CHECK ONE]

(a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:            ]), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:            ])or

 

  (iii) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note ([    ] [            ]); or

(b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

(c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Facsimile: 704-992-1451

Attention: General Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

10161 Centurion Parkway

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

Facsimile: 904-645-1921

Attention: American Tire Trustee

Re:    11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $              in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

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c) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [    ] 144A Global Note [    ] Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
 

 

By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of             , among              (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, American Tire Distributors, Inc., American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., as a Guarantor, and Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 28, 2010, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018;

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all other Guarantors named in the Indenture (including pursuant to any supplemental indentures), to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with

 

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respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer or any other Guarantor, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.

(c) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby waives: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations applicable to a Guarantor under the Indenture, including Article 11 of the Indenture (which is deemed incorporated in this Supplemental Indenture and applicable to this Guarantee). The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that by executing this Supplemental Indenture, it shall become a Guarantor under the Indenture and subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Guarantors contained therein.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, or similar limitation, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee shall not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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(l) This Guarantee shall be a general secured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in a form reasonably acceptable to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guaranteeing Subsidiary or the Issuer.

(5) Releases. The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, after which the applicable Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guaranteeing Subsidiary would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 in the Indenture);

(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or

(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 11.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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EX-4.3 4 dex43.htm SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 4.3

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture dated as of March 31, 2005 (as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, the “Indenture”), by and among American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ATD Holdings”), Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., a California corporation (“Am-Pac”), Tire Pros Francorp, a California corporation (“Francorp” and, together with ATD Holdings and Am-Pac, the “Guarantors”) and US Bank National Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered the Indenture and the Issuer has issued pursuant to the Indenture its Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”) and the Guarantors have issued their guarantees thereof;

WHEREAS, all subsidiaries of the Issuer which were previously guarantors under the Indenture no longer exist, except for Am-Pac and Francorp, which remain guarantors;

WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, with the consents of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, enter into such supplemental indenture for the purpose of amending certain provisions of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, in connection with the merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 20, 2010, as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, among ATD Holdings, Accelerate Holdings Corp., Accelerate Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”) and Investcorp International, Inc. (the “Merger”), Merger Sub has offered to purchase for cash, among other securities, any and all of the outstanding Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 4, 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Statement”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and, together with the Statement, with respect to the Notes, the “Offer”), from each Holder of such Notes;

WHEREAS, consents from Holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes have been received to effect the amendments set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as well as an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 12.04 of the Indenture to the effect that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture to the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture to be complied with by the Issuer have been complied with;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all other acts and proceedings required by law, by the Indenture and by the charter documents of the Issuer to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid and binding agreement for the purposes expressed herein, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

Capitalized terms used in this Supplemental Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SECTION 2.01. Amendments to Table of Contents.

(a) The Table of Contents of the Indenture is amended by deleting the titles to Sections 3.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.15 and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

ARTICLE THREE

SECTION 3.01. Elimination of Certain Definitions in Article One.

Sections 1.01 and 1.02 are amended by deleting from such Sections those defined terms that, by virtue of the amendment effected by this Supplemental Indenture, are no longer used in the Indenture or Notes as amended hereby.

SECTION 3.02. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Three.

Section 3.09 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.03. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Four.

(a) Section 4.02 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(b) Section 4.03 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 4.04 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.


(d) Section 4.05 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(e) Section 4.06 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(f) Section 4.07 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(g) Section 4.08 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(h) Section 4.10 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(i) Section 4.11 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(j) Section 4.12 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(k) Section 4.13 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(l) Section 4.14 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(m) Section 4.15 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.04. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Five.

(a) Section 5.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (3) and (4) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]” and inserting the word “and” after clause (2).

(b) Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clause (c) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the following text:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, clause (5) of Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to the consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into a Restricted Subsidiary or the consolidation or merger of a Restricted Subsidiary with or into the Issuer.”


SECTION 3.05. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Six.

(a) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the following text in clause (2): “, and any failure of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer when required or to purchase Securities required to be purchased in connection therewith”.

(b) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (4), (5), (6), and (7) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (d) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.05 Elimination of Certain Provisions of Article Eleven.

(a) Section 11.02(b) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the following text:

“including Section 4.06 (it being understood that only such portion of the Net Proceeds as is or is required to be applied on or before the date of such release in accordance with Section 4.06 needs to be applied).”

(b) Section 11.02(d) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the second sentence of such section in its entirety.

ARTICLE FOUR

SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness of Supplemental Indenture; Amendments Becoming Operative.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon its execution and delivery by the parties hereto; provided that the amendments set forth in Articles One, Two and Three hereof will not become operative until immediately prior to the first acceptance for payment of Notes pursuant to the Offer provided that the Merger shall have occurred or be occurring concurrently with such acceptance.

SECTION 4.02. Continuing Effect of Indenture.

Except as expressly provided herein, all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4.03. Construction of Supplemental Indenture.

This Supplemental Indenture is executed as and shall constitute an indenture supplemental to the Indenture and shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Indenture. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.


SECTION 4.04. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture that is required to be included by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Supplemental Indenture is executed, the provision required by said Act shall control.

SECTION 4.05. Trustee Disclaimer.

The recitals contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for its correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. All rights, protections, privileges, indemnities and benefits granted or afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture shall be deemed incorporated herein by this reference and shall be deemed applicable to all actions taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 4.06. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Vice President and Secretary
TIRE PROS FRANCORP
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Vice President and Secretary

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By  

/s/ Lisa Moorehead

  Name:   Lisa Moorehead
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
EX-4.4 5 dex44.htm SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 4.4

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture dated as of March 31, 2005 (as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, the “Indenture”), by and among American Tire Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ATD Holdings”), Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc., a California corporation (“Am-Pac”), Tire Pros Francorp, a California corporation (“Francorp” and, together with ATD Holdings and Am-Pac, the “Guarantors”) and US Bank National Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered the Indenture and the Issuer has issued pursuant to the Indenture its 10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”) and the Guarantors have issued their guarantees thereof;

WHEREAS, all subsidiaries of the Issuer which were previously guarantors under the Indenture no longer exist, except for Am-Pac and Francorp, which remain guarantors;

WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, with the consents of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, enter into such supplemental indenture for the purpose of amending certain provisions of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, in connection with the merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 20, 2010, as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, among ATD Holdings, Accelerate Holdings Corp., Accelerate Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”) and Investcorp International, Inc. (the “Merger”), Merger Sub has offered to purchase for cash, among other securities, any and all of the outstanding Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 4, 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Statement”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and, together with the Statement, with respect to the Notes, the “Offer”), from each Holder of such Notes;

WHEREAS, consents from Holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes have been received to effect the amendments set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as well as an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 12.04 of the Indenture to the effect that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture to the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture to be complied with by the Issuer have been complied with;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all other acts and proceedings required by law, by the Indenture and by the charter documents of the Issuer to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid and binding agreement for the purposes expressed herein, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

Capitalized terms used in this Supplemental Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SECTION 2.01. Amendments to Table of Contents.

(a) The Table of Contents of the Indenture is amended by deleting the titles to Sections 3.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.15 and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

ARTICLE THREE

SECTION 3.01. Elimination of Certain Definitions in Article One.

Sections 1.01 and 1.02 are amended by deleting from such Sections those defined terms that, by virtue of the amendment effected by this Supplemental Indenture, are no longer used in the Indenture or Notes as amended hereby.

SECTION 3.02. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Three.

Section 3.09 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.03. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Four.

(a) Section 4.02 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(b) Section 4.03 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 4.04 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.


(d) Section 4.05 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(e) Section 4.06 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(f) Section 4.07 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(g) Section 4.08 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(h) Section 4.10 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(i) Section 4.11 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(j) Section 4.12 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(k) Section 4.13 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(l) Section 4.14 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(m) Section 4.15 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.04. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Five.

(a) Section 5.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (3) and (4) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]” and inserting the word “and” after clause (2).

(b) Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clause (c) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the following text:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, clause (5) of Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to the consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into a Restricted Subsidiary or the consolidation or merger of a Restricted Subsidiary with or into the Issuer.”


SECTION 3.05. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Six.

(a) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the following text in clause (2): “, and any failure of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer when required or to purchase Securities required to be purchased in connection therewith”.

(b) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (4), (5), (6), and (7) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (d) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.05 Elimination of Certain Provisions of Article Eleven.

(a) Section 11.02(b) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the following text:

“including Section 4.06 (it being understood that only such portion of the Net Proceeds as is or is required to be applied on or before the date of such release in accordance with Section 4.06 needs to be applied).”

(b) Section 11.02(d) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the second sentence of such section in its entirety.

ARTICLE FOUR

SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness of Supplemental Indenture; Amendments Becoming Operative.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon its execution and delivery by the parties hereto; provided that the amendments set forth in Articles One, Two and Three hereof will not become operative until immediately prior to the first acceptance for payment of Notes pursuant to the Offer provided that the Merger shall have occurred or be occurring concurrently with such acceptance.

SECTION 4.02. Continuing Effect of Indenture.

Except as expressly provided herein, all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4.03. Construction of Supplemental Indenture.

This Supplemental Indenture is executed as and shall constitute an indenture supplemental to the Indenture and shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Indenture. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.


SECTION 4.04. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture that is required to be included by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Supplemental Indenture is executed, the provision required by said Act shall control.

SECTION 4.05. Trustee Disclaimer.

The recitals contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for its correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. All rights, protections, privileges, indemnities and benefits granted or afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture shall be deemed incorporated herein by this reference and shall be deemed applicable to all actions taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 4.06. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Vice President and Secretary
TIRE PROS FRANCORP
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Vice President and Secretary

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By  

/s/ Lisa Moorehead

  Name:   Lisa Moorehead
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
EX-4.5 6 dex45.htm SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE , DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Supplemental Indenture , dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 4.5

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 28, 2010, to the Indenture dated as of March 31, 2005 (as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, the “Indenture”), by and between American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and US Bank National Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered the Indenture and the Issuer has issued pursuant to the Indenture its 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, Section 9.02 of the Indenture provides that the Issuer and the Trustee may, with the consents of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount at maturity of the outstanding Notes, enter into such supplemental indenture for the purpose of amending certain provisions of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, in connection with the merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 20, 2010, as amended and supplemented to the date hereof, among the Issuer, Accelerate Holdings Corp., Accelerate Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”) and Investcorp International, Inc. (the “Merger”), Merger Sub has offered to purchase for cash, among other securities, any and all of the outstanding Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated May 4, 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Statement”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and, together with the Statement, with respect to the Notes, the “Offer”), from each Holder of such Notes;

WHEREAS, consents from Holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding principal amount at maturity of the Notes have been received to effect the amendments set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as well as an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 10.04 of the Indenture to the effect that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture to the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture to be complied by the Issuer have been complied with;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all other acts and proceedings required by law, by the Indenture and by the charter documents of the Issuer to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid and binding agreement for the purposes expressed herein, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer and the Trustee hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

Capitalized terms used in this Supplemental Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

SECTION 2.01. Amendments to Table of Contents.

(a) The Table of Contents of the Indenture is amended by deleting the titles to Sections 3.10, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.15 and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

ARTICLE THREE

SECTION 3.01. Elimination of Certain Definitions in Article One.

Sections 1.01 and 1.02 are amended by deleting from such Sections those defined terms that, by virtue of the amendment effected by this Supplemental Indenture, are no longer used in the Indenture or Notes as amended hereby.

SECTION 3.02. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Three.

Section 3.10 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.03. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Four.

(a) Section 4.02 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(b) Section 4.03 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 4.04 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(d) Section 4.05 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(e) Section 4.06 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(f) Section 4.07 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.


(g) Section 4.08 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(h) Section 4.10 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(i) Section 4.11 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(j) Section 4.12 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(k) Section 4.13 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(l) Section 4.14 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(m) Section 4.15 of the Indenture is amended by deleting the Section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.04. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Five.

(a) Section 5.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (3) and (4) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]” and inserting the word “and” after clause (2).

(b) Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clause (c) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

SECTION 3.05. Elimination of Certain Provisions in Article Six.

(a) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the following text in clause (2): “, and any failure of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer when required or to purchase Securities required to be purchased in connection therewith”.

(b) Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) in their entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.

(c) Section 6.01(d) of the Indenture is amended by deleting the text of clauses (d) in its entirety, inserting in lieu thereof the phrase “[intentionally omitted]”.


ARTICLE FOUR

SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness of Supplemental Indenture; Amendments Becoming Operative.

This Supplemental Indenture shall be effective upon its execution and delivery by the parties hereto; provided that the amendments set forth in Articles One, Two and Three hereof will not become operative until immediately prior to the first acceptance for payment of Notes pursuant to the Offer provided that the Merger shall have occurred or be occurring concurrently with such acceptance.

SECTION 4.02. Continuing Effect of Indenture.

Except as expressly provided herein, all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4.03. Construction of Supplemental Indenture.

This Supplemental Indenture is executed as and shall constitute an indenture supplemental to the Indenture and shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Indenture. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

SECTION 4.04. Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture that is required to be included by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Supplemental Indenture is executed, the provision required by said Act shall control.

SECTION 4.05. Trustee Disclaimer.

The recitals contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for its correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. All rights, protections, privileges, indemnities and benefits granted or afforded to the Trustee under the Indenture shall be deemed incorporated herein by this reference and shall be deemed applicable to all actions taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 4.06. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.
By  

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name:   J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By  

/s/ Lisa Moorehead

  Name:   Lisa Moorehead
  Title:   Assistant Vice President

[13% Notes Supplemental Indenture Signature Page]

EX-10.1 7 dex101.htm FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 28, 2010 Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2010

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 28, 2010

Among

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

as the Lenders

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

and

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,

as Co-Collateral Agent

and

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

and the other Borrowers referred to herein,

as Borrowers,

and

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Holdings

and

The Subsidiaries of American Tire Distributors, Inc.

from time to time parties hereto

 

 

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,

WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC and

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,

as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

and

WACHOVIA CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION (NEW ENGLAND)

as Syndication Agent

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page
   ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS   

SECTION 1.01

   Defined Terms    - 2 -

SECTION 1.02

   Classification of Loans and Borrowings    - 49 -

SECTION 1.03

   Terms Generally    - 49 -

SECTION 1.04

   Accounting Terms; GAAP    - 49 -

SECTION 1.05

   Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement    - 50 -
   ARTICLE II. THE CREDITS   

SECTION 2.01

   Revolving Commitments    - 50 -

SECTION 2.02

   Revolving Loans and Borrowings    - 50 -

SECTION 2.03

   Requests for Revolving Borrowings    - 51 -

SECTION 2.04

   Protective Advances and Overadvances    - 52 -

SECTION 2.05

   Swingline Loans    - 53 -

SECTION 2.06

   Letters of Credit    - 55 -

SECTION 2.07

   Funding of Borrowings    - 59 -

SECTION 2.08

   Type; Interest Elections    - 60 -

SECTION 2.09

   Termination and Reduction of Revolving Commitments    - 61 -

SECTION 2.10

   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt    - 62 -

SECTION 2.11

   Prepayment of Loans    - 63 -

SECTION 2.12

   Fees    - 63 -

SECTION 2.13

   Interest    - 64 -

SECTION 2.14

   Alternate Rate of Interest    - 65 -

SECTION 2.15

   Increased Costs    - 65 -

SECTION 2.16

   Break Funding Payments    - 66 -

SECTION 2.17

   Taxes.    - 67 -

SECTION 2.18

   Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs    - 69 -

SECTION 2.19

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders    - 71 -

SECTION 2.20

   Illegality    - 72 -

SECTION 2.21

   Cash Receipts    - 72 -

SECTION 2.22

   Reserves; Change in Reserves; Decisions by Agent and Co-Collateral Agent    - 74 -

SECTION 2.23

   Revolving Commitment Increases    - 74 -

SECTION 2.24

   Borrower Agent    - 76 -

SECTION 2.25

   Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers    - 77 -

SECTION 2.26

   Loan Account; Statement of Obligations    - 78 -

SECTION 2.27

   Extensions of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments    - 79 -

SECTION 2.28

   Defaulting Lenders    - 81 -

 

i


   ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
SECTION 3.01    Organization; Powers    - 82 -
SECTION 3.02    Authorization; Enforceability    - 82 -
SECTION 3.03    Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts    - 83 -
SECTION 3.04    Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change    - 83 -
SECTION 3.05    Properties    - 84 -
SECTION 3.06    Litigation and Environmental Matters    - 84 -
SECTION 3.07    Compliance with Laws, No Default    - 84 -
SECTION 3.08    Investment Company Status    - 84 -
SECTION 3.09    Taxes    - 85 -
SECTION 3.10    ERISA    - 85 -
SECTION 3.11    Disclosure    - 85 -
SECTION 3.12    Solvency    - 85 -
SECTION 3.13    Insurance    - 86 -
SECTION 3.14    Capitalization and Subsidiaries    - 86 -
SECTION 3.15    Security Interest in Collateral    - 86 -
SECTION 3.16    Labor Disputes    - 86 -
SECTION 3.17    Federal Reserve Regulations    - 87 -
SECTION 3.18    Senior Indebtedness    - 87 -
SECTION 3.19    Intellectual Property    - 87 -
SECTION 3.20    Use of Proceeds    - 87 -
   ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS   
SECTION 4.01    Effective Date    - 88 -
SECTION 4.02    Each Credit Event    - 91 -
   ARTICLE V. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   
SECTION 5.01    Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information    - 92 -
SECTION 5.02    Notices of Material Events    - 95 -
SECTION 5.03    Existence; Conduct of Business    - 96 -
SECTION 5.04    Payment of Obligations    - 96 -
SECTION 5.05    Maintenance of Properties    - 96 -
SECTION 5.06    Books and Records; Inspection Rights; Appraisals; Field Examinations    - 96 -
SECTION 5.07    Reserved    - 97 -
SECTION 5.08    Compliance with Laws    - 97 -
SECTION 5.09    Use of Proceeds    - 97 -
SECTION 5.10    Insurance    - 97 -
SECTION 5.11    Additional Loan Parties; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances    - 98 -
SECTION 5.12    Designation of Subsidiaries    - 100 -
   ARTICLE VI. NEGATIVE COVENANTS   
SECTION 6.01    Indebtedness    - 100 -
SECTION 6.02    Liens    - 105 -
SECTION 6.03    Fundamental Changes    - 110 -

 

ii


SECTION 6.04    Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions    - 111 -
SECTION 6.05    Asset Sales    - 114 -
SECTION 6.06    Sale and Lease-Back Transactions    - 116 -
SECTION 6.07    Accounting Changes    - 116 -
SECTION 6.08    Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness    - 116 -
SECTION 6.09    Transactions with Affiliates    - 120 -
SECTION 6.10    Restrictive Agreements    - 121 -
SECTION 6.11    Amendment of Material Documents    - 122 -
SECTION 6.12    Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio    - 122 -
   ARTICLE VII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT   
SECTION 7.01    Events of Default    - 122 -
SECTION 7.02    Cure Right    - 125 -
SECTION 7.03    Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries    - 126 -
   ARTICLE VIII. THE AGENT   
   ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS   
SECTION 9.01    Notices    - 129 -
SECTION 9.02    Waivers; Amendments    - 130 -
SECTION 9.03    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver    - 133 -
SECTION 9.04    Successors and Assigns    - 135 -
SECTION 9.05    Survival    - 140 -
SECTION 9.06    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness    - 140 -
SECTION 9.07    Severability    - 140 -
SECTION 9.08    Right of Setoff    - 140 -
SECTION 9.09    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process    - 141 -
SECTION 9.10    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    - 142 -
SECTION 9.11    Headings    - 142 -
SECTION 9.12    Confidentiality    - 142 -
SECTION 9.13    Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law    - 143 -
SECTION 9.14    USA PATRIOT Act    - 143 -
SECTION 9.15    Disclosure    - 143 -
SECTION 9.16    Appointment for Perfection    - 143 -
SECTION 9.17    Interest Rate Limitation    - 144 -
SECTION 9.18    Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms; Entire Agreement; Credit Inquiries; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility    - 144 -
SECTION 9.19    Confirmation, Ratification and Affirmation by Loan Parties    - 145 -
SECTION 9.20    INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT    - 146 -
   ARTICLE X. LOAN GUARANTY   
SECTION 10.01    Guaranty    - 146 -
SECTION 10.02    Guaranty of Payment    - 146 -
SECTION 10.03    No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty    - 146 -

 

iii


SECTION 10.04    Defenses Waived    - 147 -
SECTION 10.05    Rights of Subrogation    - 147 -
SECTION 10.06    Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration    - 147 -
SECTION 10.07    Information    - 148 -
SECTION 10.08    Maximum Liability    - 148 -
SECTION 10.09    Contribution    - 148 -
SECTION 10.10    Liability Cumulative    - 149 -
SECTION 10.11    Termination; Release of Loan Guarantors and Borrowers    - 149 -

SCHEDULES:

Commitment Schedule

Schedule 1.01(a)    Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.01(b)    Immaterial Subsidiaries
Schedule 1.01(c)    Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 1.01(d)    Permitted Inventory Locations
Schedule 3.14    Capitalization and Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.01(b)    Local Counsel
Schedule 6.01    Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02    Existing Liens
Schedule 6.04    Existing Investments
Schedule 6.05    Specified Asset Sales
Schedule 6.09    Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 6.10    Existing Restrictions

 

EXHIBITS:  
Exhibit A —   Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B —   Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C —   Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D —   Joinder Agreement
Exhibit E —   Form of Letter of Credit Request
Exhibit F —   Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit G —   Form of Revolving Promissory Note
Exhibit H —   Form of Vendor Lien Subordination Agreement
Exhibit I —   Form of Mortgage
Exhibit J —   Form of Intercompany Note

 

iv


This FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 28, 2010 (this “Agreement”), is made by and among AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), each subsidiary of the Company from time to time party hereto, the Lenders, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacities, together with its successors in such capacities, the “Agent”), and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as co-collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Co-Collateral Agent”).

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used and not defined in the preamble and these recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.01 hereof;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Holdings, in accordance with the terms thereof, with Holdings surviving such merger (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, in order to fund, in part, the Merger Funds, the Sponsor (together with certain other investors) will, directly or indirectly, make cash equity contributions (the “Equity Contribution”) to Merger Sub (through TopCo) in an aggregate amount equal to, when combined with the fair market value of the equity of management and existing equity holders of Holdings rolled over or invested in connection with the Transactions, at least 35% of the total pro forma debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions;

WHEREAS, in order to fund, in part, the Merger Funds, the Company will (x) issue and sell up to $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Documents, (y) issue and sell up to $200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Notes Documents and (z) borrow or retain outstanding $185,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans under this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company, certain of the other Loan Parties, certain of the Lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto are parties to that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 31, 2005 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented prior to the date hereto, the “Existing Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that, immediately upon the satisfaction in full of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Article IV below, the Existing Credit Agreement be amended and restated as provided herein and that, from and after the Effective Date, (a) the Revolving Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Loans at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $450,000,000 or the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments in effect from time to time, (b) the Swingline Lender extend credit at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period in the form of Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $45,000,000, and (c) the Issuing Banks issue Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $50,000,000; and


WHEREAS, the Revolving Lenders have indicated their willingness to so amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement, and to extend such credit, and the Issuing Banks have indicated their willingness to issue Letters of Credit, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein and in the Security Agreement entered into by certain of the parties hereto concurrently herewith as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

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

ABL First Lien Collateral” has the meaning specified in the Intercreditor Agreement.

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

Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

ACH” means automated clearing house transfers.

Acquired EBITDA” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary (any of the foregoing, a “Pro Forma Entity”) for any period, the amount for such period of EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined using such definitions as if references to the Company and its Subsidiaries therein were to such Pro Forma Entity and its Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity in a manner not inconsistent with GAAP.

Acquired Entity or Business” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “EBITDA”.

Acquisition Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 20, 2010, among Merger Sub, TopCo, Holdings and Investcorp International, Inc., as stockholder’s representative, together with all exhibits, schedules and disclosure letters thereto.

Additional Revolving Commitment Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23(b).

Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, for any Interest Period, the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period or, if the Board imposes a Reserve Percentage with respect to eurodollar deposits in dollars in the London interbank market, the rate obtained by dividing (a) the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period by (b) 1 minus the Reserve Percentage.

 

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Adjustment Date” means (i) with respect to determinations of the Applicable Rate and the Average Historical Excess Availability, the first day of each calendar month, and (ii) with respect to determinations of the Average Revolving Loan Utilization, the first day of each January, April, July and October.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Agent.

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.

Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Aggregate Incremental Capacity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23(a).

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus  1/2 of 1%, and (c) the LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of one month commencing on such date plus 1%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of calculating the LIBOR Rate pursuant to clause (c) above, the LIBOR Rate for any day shall be based on the rate per annum determined by the Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day by reference to BBA LIBOR (as published by Reuters or other commercially available source designated by the Agent) for a period equal to one-month. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the LIBOR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the LIBOR Rate, respectively.

Anti-Terrorism Laws” shall mean any Requirement of Law relating to terrorism or money laundering including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001 and the PATRIOT Act.

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate Revolving Commitment of all Revolving Lenders (if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Revolving Lender’s share of the aggregate Revolving Exposures at that time).

 

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Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Revolving Loan or LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread” or “LIBOR Rate Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Average Historical Excess Availability as of the most recent Adjustment Date; provided that until the first Adjustment Date occurring on or after the date that is three (3) months after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rate per annum set forth below in Category 2:

 

Average Historical Excess Availability

   ABR Spread     LIBOR Rate Spread  

Category 1

 

Average Historical Excess Availability less than 33% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base

   2.25   3.25

Category 2

 

Average Historical Excess Availability greater than or equal to 33% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base, but less than 66% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base

   2.00   3.00

Category 3

 

Average Historical Excess Availability greater than or equal to 66% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base

   1.75   2.75

The Applicable Rate shall be adjusted monthly on a prospective basis on each Adjustment Date based upon the Average Historical Excess Availability in accordance with the table above; provided that (i) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time any reduction in the Applicable Rate would otherwise be implemented, no such reduction shall be implemented until the date on which such Event of Default shall no longer be continuing, and (ii) if any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement is at any time restated or otherwise revised, or if the information set forth in any such Borrowing Base Certificate otherwise proves to be false or incorrect such that the Applicable Margin would have been higher than was otherwise in effect during any period, without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default arising as a result thereof, interest due under this Agreement shall be immediately recalculated at such higher rate for any applicable periods and shall be due and payable on demand and shall be payable only to the Lenders whose Commitments were outstanding during such period when the Applicable Margin should have been higher (regardless of whether such Lenders remain parties to this Agreement at the time such payment is made)

Appointed Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than an natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (1) a Lender, (2) an Affiliate of a Lender or (3) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Agent.

 

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Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Lease Back Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate for such lease, as determined by the Company) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Lease Back Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however, that if such Sale and Lease Back Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation”.

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

Availability Reserves” means, without duplication of any other reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria, such reserves as the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent from time to time determine in their Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect any impediments to the Agent’s ability to realize upon the Collateral consisting of Borrowing Base Assets included in the Borrowing Base, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent determine will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Collateral consisting of Borrowing Base Assets included in the Borrowing Base or (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Borrowing Base.

Available Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders then in effect minus the Revolving Exposure of all Revolving Lenders at such time.

Average Historical Excess Availability” means, at any Adjustment Date, the average daily Excess Availability for the one-month period immediately preceding such Adjustment Date.

Average Revolving Loan Utilization” means, at any Adjustment Date, the average daily aggregate Revolving Exposure (excluding any Revolving Exposure resulting from any outstanding Swingline Loans) for the three-month period immediately preceding such Adjustment Date (or, if less, the period from the Effective Date to such Adjustment Date), divided by the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time.

BANA” means Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, acting in its individual capacity, and its successors and assigns.

BANA Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(c).

B/F Subordination Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Subordination Agreement, dated November 6, 2002, as amended and reaffirmed on December 19, 2008, and as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter, among Bridgestone/Firestone, the Agent, the Company, and the other parties thereto.

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, any Revolving Lender or any of their respective Affiliates: (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, (b) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, ACH transactions, return items and interstate depository network services) and (c) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships or other cash management services, including under Cash Management Agreements.

 

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Banking Services Obligations” of the Loan Parties means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, whether absolute or contingent and however and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

Banking Services Reserves” means all Reserves which the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Liquidity Event establishes in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect reasonably anticipated Banking Services Obligations then provided or outstanding.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, or any similar foreign, federal or state law for the relief of debtors as now or hereinafter in effect.

Bankruptcy Proceeding” means (a) any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or any proceeding of the type specified in Section 7.01(g), in each case, with respect to Holdings, the Company or any Material Subsidiary, (b) any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to Holdings, the Company or any Material Subsidiary or with respect to a material portion of their respective assets, (c) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or winding up of Holdings, the Company or any Material Subsidiary whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (d) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of Holdings, the Company or any Material Subsidiary.

BBA LIBOR” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBOR Rate”.

Blocked Account Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Blocked Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

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

Borrower” means any of the Company, Am-Pac Tire Dist. Inc. and each other Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Borrower pursuant to Section 5.11(a).

Borrower Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.24.

Borrower Percentage” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(f).

Borrower’s Maximum Liability” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(e).

 

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Borrowing” means any (a) Loans of the same Class and Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) Swingline Loan or (c) Protective Advance or Overadvance Loan.

Borrowing Base” means, at any time, (a) 85% of the Value of Eligible Receivables, plus (b) the lesser of (i) 70% of the Value of Eligible Tire Inventory and (ii) 85% of Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Tire Inventory, plus (c) the lesser of (i) 50% of the Value of Eligible Non-Tire Inventory and (ii) 85% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Non-Tire Inventory, minus (d) without duplication, the then amount of all Availability Reserves and other Reserves as the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent may at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion establish or modify in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.22. The Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(h) and adjusted by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in the exercise of their Permitted Discretion and in accordance with Section 2.22 based upon additional information, if any, received after the date of delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate.

Borrowing Base Assets” means any Loan Party’s Inventory and Receivables and other assets directly related thereto, including documents, instruments, general intangibles, deposit accounts and the proceeds of all of the same.

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Company, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or another form which is acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower Agent for a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, or such other form as shall be approved by the Agent.

Bridgestone/Firestone” means Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and successor by merger to Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., an Ohio corporation.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Charlotte, North Carolina are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, without duplication, any expenditure for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed from insurance proceeds or compensation awards paid on account of a Recovery Event, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment to the extent financed with the proceeds of sales, transfers or other

 

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dispositions that are not required to be applied to prepay Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(c), (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Company or any Subsidiary and that actually are paid for by a Person other than the Company or any Subsidiary and for which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period, it being understood, however, that only the amount of expenditures actually provided or incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in such period and not the amount required to be provided or incurred in any future period shall constitute “Capital Expenditures” in the applicable period), (v) the book value of any asset owned by the Company or any Subsidiary prior to or during such period to the extent that such book value is included as a capital expenditure during such period as a result of such Person reusing or beginning to reuse such asset during such period without a corresponding expenditure actually having been made in such period; provided that (x) any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period in which such expenditure actually is made and (y) such book value shall have been included in Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired, (vi) any expenditures that constitute Permitted Acquisitions (or similar investments) and expenditures made in connection with the Transactions, (vii) any capitalized interest expense reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period or (viii) any Lease Expenses.

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

Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement entered into from time to time between any Loan Party, on the one hand, and the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates on the other, in connection with cash management services for collections, other Banking Services and for operating, payroll and trust accounts of such Loan Party provided by such Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, Lender or their Affiliates, including ACH services, controlled disbursement services, electronic funds transfer services, information reporting services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.

Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (a) prior to a Qualified Public Offering, the Permitted Holders (i) shall fail to have the right, directly or indirectly, by voting power, contract or otherwise, to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings or (ii) shall fail to own, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record, shares of Holdings in an amount equal to more than 50% of the amount of shares owned, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders, beneficially and of record, as of the Effective Date and such ownership by the Permitted Holders shall not represent the largest single block of voting securities of Holdings held, directly or indirectly, by any Person or related group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, (b) after a Qualified Public Offering, any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than the Permitted Holders, TopCo, and, if applicable, any intermediate holding company parent of Holdings which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders, shall “beneficially own” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange

 

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Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (or the Company after a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by such Equity Interests beneficially owned by such person or group exceeds the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by Equity Interests of Holdings (or the Company after a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders, unless (i) the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability, directly or indirectly, by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings (or the Company after a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) or (ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Holdings (or the Company after a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) shall be occupied by persons who were (x) members of the board of directors of Holdings on the Effective Date or nominated by the board of directors of Holdings (or of the Company after a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) or by one or more Permitted Holders or Persons nominated by one or more Permitted Holders or (y) appointed by directors so nominated, (c) any change in control (or similar event, however denominated) with respect to Holdings or the Company shall occur under and as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Documents, the Senior Subordinated Notes Documents or any other Subordinated Indebtedness of Holdings or its Subsidiaries constituting Material Indebtedness, or (d) at any time, Holdings shall cease to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company.

Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or Regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or Regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement (other than any such request, guideline or directive to comply with any law, rule or Regulation that was in effect on the date of this Agreement).

Chattel Paper” means any “chattel paper,” as such term is defined in the UCC, including electronic chattel paper, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party, wherever located.

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans (of the same Extension Series), Swingline Loans or Protective Advances or Overadvance Loans; and when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment or an Extended Revolving Commitment (of the same Extension Series).

Co-Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

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

Collateral” means any and all property owned, leased or operated by a Person subject to a security interest or Lien under the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of

 

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any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be or become subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of Agent, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations; provided however that Collateral shall not at any time include any Margin Stock.

Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages and any other documents granting a Lien upon the Collateral as security for payment of the Secured Obligations.

Commitment” means a Revolving Commitment or an Extended Revolving Commitment.

Commitment Fee Rate” means, a rate per annum equal to 0.50%; provided that, commencing on July 1, 2010, for any day thereafter, the applicable rate per annum set forth below based upon the Average Revolving Loan Utilization as of the most recent Adjustment Date:

 

Average Revolving Loan Utilization

   Commitment Fee Rate  

Less than or equal to 33 1/3%

   0.625

Greater than 33 1/3% but less than or equal to 66 2/3%

   0.50

Greater than 66 2/3%

   0.375

The Commitment Fee Rate shall be adjusted quarterly on a prospective basis on each Adjustment Date based upon the Average Revolving Loan Utilization in accordance with the table above; provided that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time any reduction in the Commitment Fee Rate would otherwise be implemented, no such reduction shall be implemented until the date on which such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.

Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.

Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) obligations in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and (c) debt obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments.

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 other than the Obligations.

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.

 

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Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Company and/or other companies.

Converted Restricted Subsidiary” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “EBITDA”.

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “EBITDA”.

Cooper Subordination Agreement” means that certain Vendor Lien Subordination Agreement, dated October 28, 2004, between the Agent and Cooper Tire & Rubber.

Cost” means the cost of purchase of Inventory determined according to the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s audited financial statements.

Cure Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02.

Cure Right” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.02.

DDAs” means any checking or other demand deposit account maintained by the Loan Parties. All funds in such DDAs shall be conclusively presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral; and the Agent and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in the DDAs, subject to the Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” means any Revolving Lender that (a) fails to make any payment or provide funds to the Agent or any Borrower as required hereunder or fails otherwise to perform its obligations under any Loan Document, and such failure is not cured within one Business Day, (b) notified the Agent or a Loan Party in writing that it does not intend to satisfy any such obligation or (c) been adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent or becomes the subject of a Bankruptcy Proceeding.

Derivative Transaction” means (a) an interest-rate transaction, including an interest-rate swap, basis swap, forward rate agreement, interest rate option (including a cap, collar, and floor), and any other instrument linked to interest rates that gives rise to similar credit risks (including when-issued securities and forward deposits accepted), (b) an exchange-rate transaction, including a cross-currency interest-rate swap, a forward foreign-exchange contract, a currency option, and any other instrument linked to exchange rates that gives rise to similar credit risks, (c) an equity derivative transaction, including an equity-linked swap, an equity-linked option, a forward equity-linked contract, and any other instrument linked to equities that gives rise to similar credit risk and (d) a commodity (including precious metal) derivative transaction, including a commodity-linked swap, a commodity-linked option, a forward commodity-linked contract, and any other instrument linked to commodities that gives rise to similar credit risks; provided that no phantom stock or

 

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similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries shall be a Derivative Transaction.

Designated Disbursement Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(d).

Dilution Reserve” means an amount equal to the excess of (i) non-cash reductions to the Borrowers’ Receivables (on a combined basis) during a 12-month period prior to the date of determination as established by the Borrowers’ records or by a field examination conducted by the Agent’s employees or representatives, expressed as a percentage of the Borrowers’ Receivables (on a combined basis) outstanding during the same period, as the same may be adjusted by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent in the exercise of their Permitted Discretion, over (ii) 5%, multiplied by an amount equal to Eligible Receivables as of the date of determination.

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change in control or asset sale so long as any right of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change in control or asset sale event shall be subject to the occurrence of the Termination Date, (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part (except as a result of a change in control or asset sale so long as any right of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change in control or asset sale event shall be subject to the occurrence of the Termination Date, (c) requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled cash payment constituting a return of capital, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the earlier of the Maturity Date and the occurrence of the Termination Date or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the earlier of the Maturity Date and the occurrence of the Termination Date; provided that if such Equity Interest is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of Holdings or any of its subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by Holdings or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 9 of the UCC.

Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

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

EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period, plus

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) Interest Expense for such period,

 

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(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise, excise and similar taxes paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds),

(iii) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets established through purchase accounting and amortization of deferred financing fees or costs),

(iv) Non-Cash Charges,

(v) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges (including fees and expenses relating thereto),

(vi) cash restructuring charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions before and after the Effective Date) incurred during any period on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date; provided that, the aggregate amount of restructuring charges, accruals or reserves incurred under this clause (vi) in such Test Period shall not exceed, when combined with the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to clause (xii) below in such Test Period and the aggregate amount of any Pro Forma Adjustments made in any such Test Period, 10% of EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated without giving effect to any adjustments made pursuant to this clause (vi), clause (xii) below or Pro Forma Adjustments),

(vii) the amount of any minority interest expense (or income (loss) allocable to non-controlling interests) consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back in such period to Net Income),

(viii) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees, (including termination and transaction fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period to (or on behalf of) the Sponsor, to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 6.09 and 6.11(c),

(ix) losses on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(x) any costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any equity subscription or equity holder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed during such period to the capital of the Company or Net Cash Proceeds of an issuance of Qualified Equity Interests,

(xi) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to paragraph (b) below for any previous period and not added back, and

(xii) in connection with any restructuring of Holdings and its Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course, the amount of cost savings resulting from, or expected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of, actions taken or committed to be taken pursuant to a factually supportable plan, in each case in connection with such restructuring prior to the time that EBITDA is

 

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to be determined for such period (which cost savings shall be added to EBITDA until fully realized (but in any event for no longer than 24 months following the Effective Date if such cost savings have not been realized by that time) and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, as certified to the Agent on a Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate, (B) no cost savings shall be added pursuant to this clause (xii) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings that are included in clause (vi) above or in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Adjustment” and (C) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause (xii) shall not exceed for any Test Period, (i) the actual cost savings expected in good faith to be realized as a result of such actions during such Test Period commencing with the date EBITDA is being determined (as opposed to the annualized impact of cost savings) and (ii) when combined with the aggregate amount of restructuring charges, accruals or reserves incurred under clause (vi) above in such Test Period and the aggregate amount of any Pro Forma Adjustments made in any such Test Period, 10% of EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated without giving effect to any adjustments made pursuant to clause (vi) above, this clause (xii) or Pro Forma Adjustments),

less

(b) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Net Income or EBITDA in any prior period),

(ii) gains on asset sales, disposals and abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals and abandonments in the ordinary course of business),

(iii) the amount of any minority interest income (or income (loss) allocable to non-controlling interests) consisting of Subsidiary loss attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary added (and not deducted) in such period in arriving at Net Income,

(iv) cash expenditures (or any netting arrangements resulting in increased cash expenditures) not deducted in arriving at EBITDA or Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash losses relating to such income were added in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to paragraph (a) above for any previous period and not deducted, and

(v) extraordinary, unusual and non-recurring gains (less all fees and expenses relating thereto),

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and the Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; provided that,

(i) to the extent included in Net Income, there shall be excluded in determining EBITDA currency translation gains and losses,

 

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(ii) to the extent included in Net Income, there shall be excluded in determining EBITDA for any period, any adjustments resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,

(iii) there shall be included in determining EBITDA for any period, without duplication, (A) the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary during such period to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “Acquired Entity or Business”) and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “Converted Restricted Subsidiary”), based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) an adjustment equal to the amount of the Pro Forma Adjustment for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) as specified in the Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate delivered to the Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders); and

(iv) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “Sold Entity or Business”) and the Disposed EBITDA of any Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary”), based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and subject to adjustment as provided in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the immediately preceding proviso with respect to acquisitions and dispositions occurring following the Effective Date and adjustments as provided under clauses (a)(vi) and (a)(xii) above, EBITDA shall be deemed to be $20,796,000, $35,106,000, $29,761,000 and $27,077,000 for the fiscal-quarters ended July 4, 2009, October 3, 2009, January 2, 2010 and April 3, 2010, respectively.

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02), which date was May 28, 2010.

Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender, (b) a commercial bank, insurance company, or company engaged in the business of making asset based loans or commercial loans or a commercial finance company, which Person, together with its Affiliates, has a combined capital and surplus in excess of $750,000,000, (c) any Affiliate of a Lender under common control with such Lender or (d) an Approved Fund of a Lender; provided that, in any event, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include (i) any natural person, (ii) any Defaulting Lender or (iii) Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary.

Eligible Inventory” means, collectively, Eligible Tire Inventory and Eligible Non-Tire Inventory.

 

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Eligible Non-Tire Inventory” means items of Inventory (other than tires) of a Borrower subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent held for sale in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower (but not including packaging or shipping materials or maintenance supplies) that, unless otherwise approved by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion, meet all of the following requirements, subject to the ability of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent to establish other criteria of eligibility in their Permitted Discretion or modify the criteria established below, in either case subject to the requirements of Section 2.22:

(a) such Inventory is owned by a Borrower and is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Agent;

(b) such Inventory is not subject to any other Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02 so long as such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Agent;

(c) such Inventory consists of raw materials or finished goods and does not consist of work-in-process, supplies or consigned goods;

(d) such Inventory is in good condition and meets in all material respects all material standards applicable to such goods, their use or sale imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such matters;

(e) such Inventory is currently either usable or saleable, at prices approximating at least the cost thereof, in the normal course of the applicable Borrower’s business;

(f) such Inventory is not obsolete or returned (except Inventory that is placed back into stock in the ordinary course of business) or repossessed or used goods taken in trade;

(g) such Inventory is either located within the United States at one of the Permitted Inventory Locations or is in transit within the United States from one Permitted Inventory Location to another Permitted Inventory Location for not more than seven consecutive days;

(h) if such Inventory is located at any location leased by a Loan Party, (i) the lessor has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement as to such location or (ii) a Rent Reserve with respect to such location has been established by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion; and

(i) such Inventory is not subject to any warehouse receipt or negotiable Document unless in the possession of the Agent, and if such Inventory is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee and is not evidenced by a Document, (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Agent may reasonably require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion.

If either the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent deems Inventory ineligible in their Permitted Discretion (and not based upon the criteria set forth above), then the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall give the Borrower Agent five (5) Business Days’ prior notice thereof; provided that (i) any modification of the eligibility criteria set forth above shall have a reasonable relationship to circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies which are the basis for

 

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such eligibility criteria, as determined by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion and (ii) circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies arising prior to the Effective Date of which the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent had actual knowledge prior to the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any such modification after the Effective Date unless such circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies shall have changed since the Effective Date.

With respect to any Inventory that was acquired or originated by any Person acquired after the Effective Date, the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the expense of the Loan Parties, to complete diligence in respect of such Person and such Inventory, within a reasonable time following request of the Borrower Agent.

Eligible Receivable” means the unpaid portion of a Receivable payable in Dollars to a Borrower subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent net of any returns, discounts, credits or other allowances or deductions agreed to by a Borrower and net of any amounts owed by a Borrower to the Account Debtor on such Receivable (including to the extent of any set-off), which Receivable, unless otherwise approved by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion, meets all of the following requirements, subject to the ability of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent to establish other criteria of eligibility in their Permitted Discretion or modify the criteria established below, in either case subject to the requirements of Section 2.22:

(a) such Receivable is owned by a Borrower and represents a complete bona fide transaction which requires no further act under any circumstances on the part of any Borrower to make such Receivable payable by the Account Debtor;

(b) such Receivable is not past due more than 60 days after its due date, which due date shall not be later than 90 days after the invoice date;

(c) such Receivable does not arise out of any transaction with any Subsidiary of a Borrower;

(d) such Receivable is not owing by an Account Debtor from which an aggregate amount of more than 50% of the Receivables owing therefrom are, based on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, not Eligible Receivables pursuant to clause (b) above;

(e) if the Account Debtor with respect thereto is located outside of the United States of America, Canada or Puerto Rico, the goods which gave rise to such Receivable were shipped after receipt by the applicable Borrower from the Account Debtor of an irrevocable letter of credit that has been confirmed by a financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, and on terms, reasonably acceptable to the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, payable in the full face amount of the face value of the Receivable in Dollars at a place of payment located within the United States and has been duly assigned to the Agent, except that up to $5,000,000 of such Receivables outstanding at any time that are otherwise Eligible Receivables, may be included in Eligible Receivables without such letter of credit supports;

(f) such Receivable is not subject to the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any other applicable law now or hereafter existing similar in effect thereto, unless the applicable Borrower has assigned its right to payments of such Receivable so as to comply with the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any such other applicable law, or to any contractual provision accepted in writing by such Borrower prohibiting its assignment or requiring notice of or consent to such assignment which notice or consent has not been made or obtained;

 

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(g) Receivables with respect to which the representations and warranties set forth in the Security Agreement applicable to Receivables are not correct in any material respect;

(h) such Receivable is not disputed, and is not subject to a claim, counterclaim, discount, deduction, reserve, allowance, recoupment, offset or chargeback that has been asserted with respect thereto by the applicable Account Debtor (but only to the extent of such dispute, claim, counterclaim, discount, deduction, reserve, allowance, recoupment, offset or chargeback);

(i) such Receivable is not owed by an Account Debtor that is subject to a Bankruptcy Proceeding or that is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs or otherwise deemed not creditworthy by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(j) the goods the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable were shipped or delivered to the Account Debtor on an absolute sale basis and not on a bill and hold sale basis, a consignment sale basis, a guaranteed sale basis, a sale or return basis or on the basis of any other similar understanding, and such goods have not been returned or rejected;

(k) such Receivable is not owing by an Account Debtor whose then-existing Receivables owing to the Borrowers, based on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, exceed 20% of the net amount of all Eligible Receivables, but such Receivable shall be ineligible only to the extent of such excess;

(l) such Receivable is evidenced by a customary invoice or other customary documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion;

(m) such Receivable is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the Account Debtor with respect thereto and is not subject to any present or contingent (and no facts exist which are the basis for any future), offset, deduction or counterclaim, dispute or other defense on the part of such Account Debtor, except that any Receivable that is subject to any offset, deduction or counterclaim shall be ineligible only to the extent of such offset, deduction or counterclaim;

(n) such Receivable does not arise under or is not related to any warranty obligation of a Borrower or any charges by a Borrower of fees for the time value of money;

(o) such Receivable is not evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind;

(p) such Receivable is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Agent; and

(q) such Receivable is not subject to any Lien, other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02, so long as such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Agent.

If either the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent deems Receivables ineligible in their Permitted Discretion (and not based upon the criteria set forth above), then the Agent or the

 

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Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall give the Borrower Agent five (5) Business Days’ prior notice thereof; provided that (i) any modification of the eligibility criteria set forth above shall have a reasonable relationship to circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies which are the basis for such eligibility criteria, as determined by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion and (ii) circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies arising prior to the Effective Date of which the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent had actual knowledge prior to the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any such modification after the Effective Date unless such circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies shall have changed since the Effective Date.

With respect to any Receivables that were acquired or originated by any Person acquired after the Effective Date, the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the expense of the Loan Parties, to complete diligence in respect of such Person and such Receivables, within a reasonable time following request of the Borrower Agent.

Eligible Subordinated Vendor Inventory” means Eligible Tire Inventory that is subject to a Subordinated Vendor Lien.

Eligible Tire Inventory” means items of Inventory of tires of a Borrower subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent (including Eligible Subordinated Vendor Inventory) held for sale in the ordinary course of the business of such Borrower (but not including packaging or shipping materials or maintenance supplies) that, unless otherwise approved by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion, meet all of the following requirements, subject to the ability of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent to establish other criteria of eligibility in their Permitted Discretion or modify the criteria established below, in either case subject to the requirements of Section 2.22:

(a) such Inventory is owned by a Borrower and is subject a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Agent;

(b) such Inventory is not subject to any other Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02 so long as such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Agent;

(c) such Inventory consists of raw materials or finished goods and does not consist of work-in-process, supplies or consigned goods;

(d) such Inventory is in good condition and meets in all material respects all material standards applicable to such goods, their use or sale imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such matters;

(e) such Inventory is currently either usable or saleable, at prices approximating at least the cost thereof, in the normal course of the applicable Borrower’s business;

(f) such Inventory is not obsolete or returned (except Inventory that is placed back into stock in the ordinary course of business) or repossessed or used goods taken in trade;

(g) such Inventory is either located within the United States at one of the Permitted Inventory Locations or is in transit within the United States from one Permitted Inventory Location to another Permitted Inventory Location for not more than seven consecutive days;

 

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(h) if such Inventory is located at any location leased by a Loan Party, (i) the lessor has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement as to such location or (ii) a Rent Reserve with respect to such location has been established by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion; and

(i) such Inventory is not subject to any warehouse receipt or negotiable document unless in the possession of the Agent, or if such Inventory is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee and is not evidenced by a Document, (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Agent may reasonably require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

If either the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent deems Inventory ineligible in their Permitted Discretion (and not based upon the criteria set forth above), then the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall give the Borrower Agent five (5) Business Days’ prior notice thereof; provided that (i) any modification of the eligibility criteria set forth above shall have a reasonable relationship to circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies which are the basis for such eligibility criteria, as determined by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion and (ii) circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies arising prior to the Effective Date of which the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent had actual knowledge prior to the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any such modification after the Effective Date unless such circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies shall have changed since the Effective Date.

With respect to any Inventory that was acquired or originated by any Person acquired after the Effective Date, the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the expense of the Loan Parties, to complete diligence in respect of such Person and such Inventory, within a reasonable time following request of the Borrower Agent.

Environmental Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating to the protection of the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, transportation, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters (to the extent related to the exposure to any Hazardous Material).

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary 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 in writing pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Contribution” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

 

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ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

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

ERISA Event” means (a) any Reportable Event; (b) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; (c) a determination that any Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA); (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (e) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice of an intent to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by a Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is Insolvent or in Reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

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

Excess Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the aggregate total Revolving Commitments at such time and (ii) the Borrowing Base at such time, (as determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(h)), minus (b) the aggregate Revolving Exposures (including the LC Exposure) of all Revolving Lenders at such time.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Accounts” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Excluded Equity Interests” shall mean (a) any Equity Interests with respect to which the Company and the Agent have reasonably determined that the cost or other consequences (including any material adverse tax consequences) of pledging such Equity Interests shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (b) solely in the case of any pledge of Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary to secure the Obligations, any Equity Interests that are voting Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of such class, (c) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law, (d) the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries at the time such Subsidiary becomes a

 

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Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary), (e) the Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary, (f) the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary and (g) any Equity Interests of a joint venture to the extent that the joint venture agreement applicable thereto restricts the pledge of such Equity Interests.

Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary on any date such Subsidiary would otherwise be required to become a Loan Party pursuant to the requirements of Section 5.11 (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary), (b) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by Requirements of Law, by any Contractual Obligation existing on the Effective Date or by any Contractual Obligation existing at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, in each case from guaranteeing the Obligations (and for so long as such restrictions or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect), (c) any Domestic Subsidiary that is (i) treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and substantially all of its assets consist of the stock of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are controlled foreign corporations within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code or (ii) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code, (d) any Immaterial Subsidiary and any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (e) any other Subsidiary with respect to which the Company and the Agent have reasonably determined that the cost or other consequences (including any material adverse tax consequences) of providing a guarantee shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom, (f) each Foreign Subsidiary, (g) each other Domestic Subsidiary acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition and financed with Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(j) or (k) and permitted by the proviso to subclause (z) of such Sections and each Subsidiary that guarantees such Indebtedness to the extent that, and for so long as, the financing documentation relating to such Permitted Acquisition to which such Subsidiary is a party prohibits such Subsidiary from guaranteeing the Obligations and (h) Tire Pros Francorp.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Company or any other Loan Party hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof, or by the jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any other Loan Party is located, (c) other than in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower Agent under Section 2.19(b), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to a Lender at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e) or (f), as applicable, except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Company or any other Loan Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a), and (d) any withholding tax that is imposed by reason of Section 1471 or Section 1472 of the Code other than by reason of a Change in Law imposed after the Effective Date.

Existing Class” means each Class of Existing Revolving Credit Commitments.

Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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Existing Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit previously issued for the account of the Company or any other Loan Party by a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender that is (a) outstanding on the Effective Date and (b) listed on Schedule 1.01(a).

Existing Notes” means Holdings’ 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2013, the Company’s 10.75% Senior Notes due 2013 and the Company’s Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012.

Existing Revolving Commitments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(a).

Existing Revolving Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(a).

Existing Subordination Agreements” means the B/F Subordination Agreement, the Pirelli Subordination Agreement and the Cooper Subordination Agreement.

Existing Subordinated Vendors” means Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Pirelli Tire LLC.

Extended Loans/Commitments” means Extended Revolving Loans and/or Extended Revolving Commitments.

Extended Revolving Commitments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(a).

Extended Revolving Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(a).

Extending Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(b).

Extension Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(c).

Extension Election” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(b).

Extension Request” shall mean Revolving Extension Requests.

Extension Series” shall mean all Extended Revolving Commitments that are established pursuant to the same Extension Agreement (or any subsequent Extension Agreement to the extent such Extension Agreement expressly provides that Extended Revolving Commitments provided for therein are intended to be a part of any previously established Extension Series) and that provide for the same interest margins and extension fees.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, (a) the weighted average of interest rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on the applicable Business Day (or on the preceding Business Day, if the applicable day is not a Business Day), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next Business Day; or (b) if no such rate is published on the next Business Day, the average rate (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest  1/8 of 1%) charged to the Agent on the applicable day on such transactions, as determined by the Agent.

 

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Fee Letter” means the amended and restated fee letter, dated as of May 6, 2010, between the Agent, Merger Sub and certain other parties, as assigned to, and assumed by, the Company on the Effective Date.

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Company.

First Priority Lien” means any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party that is granted under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents and that, pursuant and subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, is senior in priority to the Liens of the Agent in the Collateral.

Fixed Charges” means, with reference to any period, without duplication, the sum of (a) Interest Expense actually paid in cash for such period, plus (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments in respect of long-term Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries made during such period (other than payments made by the Company or any Subsidiary to the Company or a Subsidiary) plus (c) any payments on account of Disqualified Equity Interests or preferred Equity Interests (whether in the nature of dividends, redemption, repurchase or otherwise) required to be made in such period, all calculated for such period for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of:

(i)(A) EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the most recent Test Period ended on or prior to such date of determination plus (B) only for purposes of the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under, and as provided in, Section 7.02, Permitted Cure Securities minus (C) taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise, excise and similar taxes (including in respect of repatriated funds), net of cash refunds received, of the Company and its Subsidiaries paid in cash during such Test Period minus (D) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such Test Period, to

(ii) Fixed Charges payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries in cash during such Test Period;

In calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio in connection with the making of any Specified Payment (other than with regard to investments in Domestic Subsidiaries (whether Restricted or Unrestricted), U.S. domestic-organized joint ventures and other U.S. domestic investments, in each case under Section 6.04(w)) at any time when Excess Availability on a Pro Forma Basis is less than 35% of the lesser of (A) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (B) the Borrowing Base, the amount of Fixed Charges included in clause (ii) above shall include, without duplication of any payments already constituting Fixed Charges, the amount of such Specified Payment actually made on such date of determination.

For purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period ending prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Interest Expense shall be an amount equal to actual Interest Expense from the Effective Date through the date of determination multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is 365 and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Effective Date through the date of determination.

 

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Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of (a) 85% of the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable of the applicable Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries and (b) 70% of the aggregate book value of all inventory owned by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries.

Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets” means the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, as determined in accordance with GAAP in good faith by the Issuer, without intercompany eliminations between such Foreign Subsidiaries and the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries.

Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(i).

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect and applicable to that accounting period in respect of which reference to GAAP is being made, subject to the provisions of Section 1.04.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or 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.

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “Guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the Guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “Primary Obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the Guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the Primary Obligor so as to enable the Primary Obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). 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.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

 

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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.

Holdings” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, any Subsidiary designated as such in writing by the Company to the Agent and that (a) contributed 5.0% or less of EBITDA for the Test Period most recently ended prior to such date of determination and (b) had consolidated assets representing 5.0% or less of the Total Assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries on the last day of the Test Period most recently ended prior to such date of determination. The Immaterial Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date are listed on Schedule 1.01(b).

Immediate Family Members” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Indebtedness” of any Person means (in each case, whether such obligation is with full or limited recourse), without duplication, (a) any obligation of such Person for borrowed money, (b) any obligation of such Person evidenced by a bond, debenture, note or other similar instrument, (c) any obligation of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except (i) accrued expenses and trade accounts payable that arise in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (d) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests, (f) any obligation of such Person (whether or not contingent) to any other Person in respect of a letter of credit or other Guarantee issued by such other Person, (g) any Swap Obligation, except that if any Swap Agreement relating to such Swap Obligation provides for the netting of amounts payable by and to such Person thereunder or if any such agreement provides for the simultaneous payment of amounts by and to such Person, then in each such case, the amount of such obligation shall be the net amount thereof, (h) any Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person (provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the fair market value of such asset at the date of determination determined by such Person in good faith and the amount of such Indebtedness of others so secured) and (i) any Indebtedness of others Guaranteed by such Person. For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall exclude purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranties or other unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset (other than earn-out obligations).

Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11(a).

 

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Insolvent” with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, means the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

Instrument” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article 9 of the UCC.

Intercompany Note” means the Intercompany Subordinated Note, dated as of the Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto executed by Holdings, the Company and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower.

Intercreditor Agreement” means the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among Holdings, the Company, the Subsidiaries party from time to time thereto, the Agent and the Noteholder Collateral Agent.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower Agent to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

Interest Expense” means, with respect to any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(1) consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Net Income (including (a) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances during such period, (b) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Swap Agreements or other Derivative Transactions pursuant to GAAP or Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133), (c) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations and (d) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received) pursuant to obligations under interest rate Swap Agreements with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (i) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, (ii) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting, (iii) all additional interest or liquidated damages then owing pursuant to any registration rights agreement and any comparable “additional interest” or liquidated damages with respect to other securities designed to compensate the holders thereof for a failure to publicly register such securities, (iv) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (v) any expensing of commitment and other financing fees, (vi) any interest in respect of items excluded from Indebtedness in the proviso to the definition thereof, (vii) any one-time costs associated with breakage in respect of Swap Agreements for interest rates and (viii) penalties and interest relating to taxes); plus

(2) consolidated capitalized interest of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(3) interest income for such period.

For purposes of this definition, (x) interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest

 

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implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP and (y) the Interest Expense of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be excluded.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

Interest Period” means (a) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months (or, to the extent available to and agreed to by each Lender, nine or twelve months) thereafter, as the Borrower Agent may elect; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Investment Grade Securities” means (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Permitted Investments), (b) debt securities or debt instruments with a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 by Moody’s or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization, or if no rating of S&P’s or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other nationally recognized securities rating agency, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and (c) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution.

IRS” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e).

Issuing Bank” means each of Bank of America, N.A. and any other Revolving Lender which at the request of the Borrower Agent and after notice to the Agent agrees to become an Issuing Bank and, solely with respect to any Existing Letter of Credit (and any amendment, renewal or extension thereof in accordance with this Agreement), the Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that issued such Existing Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

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Joinder Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.

Joint Lead Arrangers” means Banc of America Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, and General Electric Capital Corporation.

LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a drawing on a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure” means, at any time of determination, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company or any other Loan Party at such time, less (c) the amount then on deposit in the LC Collateral Account. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

Lease Expense” means, for any period, all rental expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period under operating leases for real or personal property (including in connection with Sale and Lease-Back Transactions), but excluding real estate taxes, insurance costs and common area maintenance charges and net of sublease income; provided that Lease Expense shall not include (a) obligations under vehicle leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, (b) all such rental expenses associated with assets acquired pursuant to the Transactions and pursuant to an acquisition (including a Permitted Acquisition) to the extent that such rental expenses relate to operating leases (i) in effect at the time of (and immediately prior to) such acquisition and (ii) related to periods prior to such acquisition, (c) Capital Lease Obligations, all as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (d) the effects from applying purchase accounting.

Lenders” means the Persons listed on the Commitment Schedule and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Letter of Credit” means any standby or commercial letter of credit issued (or, in the case of an Existing Letter of Credit, deemed to be issued) pursuant to this Agreement.

Letter of Credit Request” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

LIBOR Rate” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the per annum rate of interest (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest  1/8th of 1%), determined by the Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to commencement of such Interest Period, for a term comparable to such Interest Period, equal to (a) the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source designated by the Agent); or (b) if BBA LIBOR is not available for any reason, the interest rate at which Dollar deposits in the approximate amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan would be offered by the Agent’s London branch to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or

 

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any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.

Liquidity Event” means the determination by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent that (a) Excess Availability is less than the greater of (1) 12.5% of the lesser of (A) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (B) the Borrowing Base and (2) $30,000,000, in either case for a period of five consecutive Business Days, or (b) an Event of Default has occurred; provided that the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent has notified the Borrower Agent of either thereof. The occurrence of a Liquidity Event shall be deemed continuing (i) until such date as such Event of Default shall no longer be continuing and (ii) until such date as Excess Availability exceeds such amount for thirty (30) consecutive days, in which event a Liquidity Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing.

Loan Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.26.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to the Agreement, the Fee Letter, any Letters of Credit or Letter of Credit applications, the Collateral Documents, the Perfection Certificate and the Intercreditor Agreement.

Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.

Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement.

Loan Parties” means Holdings, each Borrower, each Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary), and any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement as a Loan Party pursuant to a Joinder Agreement, and their respective successors and assigns.

Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, Protective Advances and Extended Revolving Loans.

Management Services Agreements” means, collectively, the transaction and monitoring fee letter agreement among the Company and the Sponsor, dated as the Effective Date, pursuant to which the Sponsor agrees to provide certain advisory services to TopCo, Holdings and the Company in exchange for certain fees and the indemnification agreement among TopCo, Holdings, the Company and the Sponsor, dated as of the Effective Date.

Management Stockholders” means the management officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries who are investors in Holdings, TopCo or any direct or indirect parent thereof.

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

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company and the other Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights of, or remedies available to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Lenders under, the Loan Documents.

 

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Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of Holdings, the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “obligations” of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdings, the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary, other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Maturity Date” means November 28, 2014 or any earlier date on which the Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, or in the case of any Extension Series of Extended Revolving Commitments, the maturity date related thereto.

Maximum Liability” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.08.

Merger” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Merger Funds” means the payment of the merger consideration to the equity holders of Holdings under the Acquisition Agreement, the payment of Transaction Expenses and the payment of the Refinancing.

Merger Sub” means Accelerate Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Mortgaged Properties” means, initially, the owned real properties of the Loan Parties specified on Schedule 1.01(c), and shall include each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.11.

Mortgages” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement entered into by the owner of a Mortgaged Property and the Agent, which conveys or evidences a Lien in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on such Mortgaged Property, substantially in the form of Exhibit I (with such changes thereto as may be necessary to account for local law matters) or otherwise in such form as agreed between the Company and the Agent.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA in respect of which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is an “employer” (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA).

Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, any Recovery Event, any incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness or any issuance of Equity Interests (each, a “Proceeds Event”), (a) the gross cash proceeds (including payments from time to time in respect of installment obligations, if applicable) received by or on behalf of Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in respect of such Proceeds Event, less (b) the sum of:

(i) the amount, if any, of all taxes paid or estimated to be payable by Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with such Proceeds Event (including withholding taxes imposed on the repatriation of any such proceeds),

 

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(ii) the amount of any reasonable reserve established in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (i) above) (x) associated with the assets that are the subject of such Proceeds Event and (y) retained by Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries including any pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction; provided that the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds of such Proceeds Event occurring on the date of such reduction,

(iii) in the case of any Proceeds Event constituting a sale, transfer or disposition of assets or a Recovery Event by any non-wholly owned Subsidiary, the pro rata portion of the net cash proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (iv)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary as a result thereof, and

(iv) reasonable and customary fees, commissions, expenses (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes and other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees), issuance costs, discounts and other costs paid by Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, as applicable, in connection with such Proceeds Event (other than those payable to Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary), in each case only to the extent not already deducted in arriving at the amount referred to in clause (a) above.

Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(a) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (effected either through cumulative effect adjustment or a retroactive application, in each case, in accordance with GAAP) and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded;

(b) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments (including any disposal of abandoned or discontinued operations) or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business as determined in good faith by the Company shall be excluded;

(c) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Net Income of the Company shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Permitted Investments (or to the extent converted into cash or Permitted Investments) to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and the net losses of any such Person shall only be included to the extent funded with cash from the Company or any Subsidiary;

(d) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Company and its Subsidiaries) in the inventory, property and equipment, software,

 

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goodwill, other intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue, debt line items and other noncash charges in the Company’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(e) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Swap Obligations or other Derivative Transactions shall be excluded;

(f) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

(g) any non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs shall be excluded, and any cash charges associated with the rollover, acceleration, or payout of Equity Interests by management of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with the Transactions, shall be excluded;

(h) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, sale or disposition, recapitalization, investment, issuance, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case, whether or not successful, shall be excluded;

(i) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Effective Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions (or within twelve months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition) in accordance with GAAP;

(j) any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment, acquisition or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is (i) not denied by the applicable carrier (without any right of appeal thereof) within 180 days and (ii) in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

(k) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount

 

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will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

(l) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Swap Obligations or other Derivative Transactions and the application of Accounting Standards Codification 815 shall be excluded;

(m) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation and transaction gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Swap Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other monetary assets and liabilities shall be excluded; and

(n) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks (including government program rebates) shall be excluded.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Net Income of the Company and its Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof, net of all costs of liquidation thereof, as based upon the most recent Inventory appraisal conducted in accordance with this Agreement and expressed as a percentage of Cost of such Inventory.

Non-Cash Charges” mean (a) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down of intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities pursuant to GAAP, (b) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method, (c) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses, (d) the non-cash impact of purchase accounting, (e) the non-cash impact of accounting changes or restatements and (f) other non-cash charges (provided that, in each case, that if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive-based compensation awards or arrangements.

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).

 

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Non-Ordinary Course Asset Disposition” mean any sale, transfer or other disposition by one or more Loan Parties of Borrowing Base Assets with a Value in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000.

Non-Paying Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(f).

Non-Paying Guarantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.09.

Noteholder Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Noteholder First Lien Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

Obligations” mean the collective reference to (a) the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest at the applicable rate provided in this Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made by a Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (iii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of a Borrower or any other Loan Party to any of the Secured Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (d) the due and punctual payment and performance of all Secured Swap Obligations and (e) the due and punctual payment and performance of all Banking Services Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the obligations of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Secured Swap Obligations or any Banking Services Obligations shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Collateral Documents and the Loan Guaranty only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed and (ii) any release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement and the other Credit Document shall not require the consent of the holders of Secured Swap Obligations or the holders of Banking Services Obligations.

Other Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11(b).

Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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Overadvance” means at any time the amount by which the aggregate outstanding Revolving Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base.

Overadvance Condition” means and is deemed to exist any time the aggregate outstanding Revolving Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base.

Overadvance Loan” means an ABR Revolving Loan made at a time an Overadvance Condition exists or which results in an Overadvance Condition.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

PATRIOT ACT” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001).

Paying Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(f).

Paying Guarantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.09.

Payment Conditions” means, at any time of determination with respect to any Specified Payment, as of the date of such Specified Payment and after giving effect thereto, that (a) no Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing, (b) if the amount of any such Specified Payment exceeds $5,000,000, Excess Availability shall be not less than 17.5% (or in the case of a Specified Payment under Section 6.08(a)(x), 20%) of the lesser of (i) the Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base immediately after giving effect to the making of such Specified Payment and, with respect to Specified Payments under Sections 6.08(a)(x) and 6.08(b)(vi), Excess Availability for the 30 consecutive day period immediately prior to the making of such Specified Payment shall not have been less than 17.5% (or in the case of a Specified Payment under Section 6.08(a)(x), 20%) of the lesser of (i) the Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base, and (c) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period prior to the making of such Specified Payment, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to such Specified Payment as if such Specified Payment had been made as of the first day of such period, shall be equal to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit I to the Security Agreement or any other form approved by the Agent.

Permitted Acquisition” means the acquisition, by merger or otherwise, by the Company or any Subsidiary of assets or businesses of a Person (including assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person) or of the Equity Interests of a Person; provided that as of the date of such acquisition and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Event of Default

 

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shall exist or have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto; (ii) the acquired assets, division or Person are in the same or generally related line of business as that conducted by the Company and the Subsidiaries during the then current and most recent fiscal year or businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto; (iii) in the event that the purchase price of the proposed acquisition is greater than $15,000,000, after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, Excess Availability shall not be less than 15% of the lesser of (x) the Revolving Commitments and (y) the Borrowing Base as calculated after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Permitted Acquisition; provided, however, that in no event shall the number of acquisitions involving a purchase price of $15,000,000 or less exceed (two) 2 per fiscal year unless the Excess Availability threshold of this clause (iii) is also met; (iv) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period prior to such Permitted Acquisition, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to such Permitted Acquisition as if such Permitted Acquisition had been consummated as of the first day of such period, shall be equal to or greater than 1.0 to 1.0; and (v) the Company and the Subsidiaries shall comply, and (if applicable) shall cause the acquired Person to comply, with the applicable provisions of Section 5.11 and the Collateral Documents.

Permitted Cure Security” means any Qualified Equity Interest of Holdings.

Permitted Discretion” means the Agent’s and the Co-Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, commercially reasonable credit judgment in establishing eligibility criteria and Reserves and exercised in good faith in accordance with customary business practices for similar asset based lending facilities, based upon its consideration of any factor that it reasonably believes (i) could materially adversely affect the quantity, quality, mix or value of Collateral (including any applicable laws that may inhibit collection of a Receivable), the enforceability or priority of the Agent’s Liens thereon, or the amount that the Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Lenders could receive in liquidation of any Collateral; (ii) that any collateral report or financial information delivered by any Loan Party is incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect; (iii) materially increases the likelihood of any Bankruptcy Proceeding involving a Loan Party; or (iv) creates or could result in an Event of Default. In exercising such judgment, the Agent may consider any factors that could materially increase the credit risk of lending to the Borrowers on the security of the Collateral; provided that, in the event that the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent cannot agree on a determination with respect to eligibility criteria and Reserves, the determination shall be made by the individual agent asserting the more conservative credit judgment.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or being contested in good faith by appropriate actions if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(c) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j) so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired; and

(d) Subordinated Vendor Liens;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Permitted Holders” means the Sponsors and Management Stockholders.

Permitted Inventory Locations” means each location listed on Schedule 1.01(d) and from time to time each other location within the United States which the Company has notified the Agent is a location at which Inventory of a Borrower is maintained.

Permitted Investments” means (a) marketable securities issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States government or any agency of the United States government, in each case having maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having an investment grade rating generally available from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, then from another nationally recognized rating service); (c) commercial paper issued by any Revolving Lender or any bank holding company owning any Revolving Lender who is not a Defaulted Lender at the time of acquisition thereof; (d) commercial paper maturing no more than 12 months after the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 or P-1 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); (e) domestic and Eurodollar certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances issued or accepted by any Revolving Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is at least (i) “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $250,000,000, in each case maturing within 12 months after issuance or acceptance thereof; (f) repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the type described in clauses (a), (b) and (e) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (e) above or securities dealers of recognized national standing; (g) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least A-1 or P-1 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); (h) shares of investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and invest solely in one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a) through (g) above; and (i) in the case of investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or investments made in a country outside the United States of America, other customarily utilized high-quality investments in the country where such Foreign Subsidiary is located or in which such investment is made that would customarily constitute “cash equivalents”.

 

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

Pirelli Subordination Agreement” means that certain Lien Subordination Agreement, dated January 13, 2003, between the Agent and Pirelli Tire LLC.

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest announced by the Agent from time to time as its prime rate. Such rate is set by the Agent on the basis of various factors, including its costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such rate. Any change in such rate announced by the Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Pro Forma Adjustment” means, with respect to the Acquired EBITDA of the applicable Pro Forma Entity or the EBITDA of the Company, in either case arising from any Specified Transaction, the pro forma increase or decrease in such Acquired EBITDA or such EBITDA, as the case may be, either (a) permitted to be reflected in pro forma financial information under Rule 11.02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or (b) projected by the Borrower in good faith to result from actions taken, committed to be taken or planned to be taken pursuant to a factually supported plan entered into in connection with such Specified Transaction prior to the time in which such Acquired EBITDA or such EBITDA is required to be calculated; provided that such cost savings referred to in this clause (ii) (x) are factually supportable and determined in good faith by the Company, as certified to the Agent on a Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate, (y) do not exceed the actual cost savings expected in good faith to be realized by the Company during the Test Period commencing with the date as of which EBITDA is being determined (as opposed to the annualized impact of such cost savings) and (2) the aggregate amount of Pro Forma Adjustments shall not exceed for any Test Period, when combined with the aggregate amount of restructuring charges, accruals or reserves incurred under clause (a)(vi) of the definition of EBITDA in such Test Period and the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to clause (a)(xii) of the definition of EBITDA in such Test Period, 10% of EBITDA for such Test Period (calculated without giving effect to any adjustments made pursuant to such clause (a)(vi), such clause (a)(xii) or such Pro Forma Adjustments).

Pro Forma Adjustment Certificate” means any certificate of a Financial Officer delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(l) or setting forth the information described in clause (iv) to Section 5.01(d).

Pro Forma Balance Sheet” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(a).

Pro Forma Balance Sheet Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.04(a).

 

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Pro Forma Basis”, “Pro Forma Compliance” and “Pro Forma Effect” means, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant hereunder, that (A) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (B) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test or covenant: (a) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (i) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (ii) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or investment described in the definition of the term “Specified Transaction”, shall be included, (b) any retirement or repayment of Indebtedness and (c) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to (A) above (but without duplication thereof), the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of EBITDA and give effect to events (including operating expense reductions) that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of the term “Pro Forma Adjustment”. For the avoidance of doubt, any pro forma basis, compliance or effect for acquisitions or dispositions will include the corresponding impact on interest, capital expenditures and, if any, other fixed charges.

Pro Forma Entity” means any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary.

Projections” means the projections of the Company and the Subsidiaries included in the Information Memorandum and any other projections and any forward-looking statements of such entities furnished to the Lenders or the Agent by or on behalf of Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Date.

Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

Purchasing Debt Affiliate” means any Affiliate of the Borrower, including the Sponsor, other than Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.

Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

Qualified Public Offering” means the initial underwritten public offering of common Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings or the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or any successor form).

Real Property Collateral Requirements” means, with respect to any Mortgaged Property, each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent:

(a) a Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property;

 

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(b) evidence that a counterpart of the Mortgage has been recorded or delivered to the appropriate title insurance company subject to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Agent for the prompt recording thereof;

(c) an ALTA or other mortgagee’s title policy or amendment thereto (or a marked unconditional binder thereof insuring the Lien of the Mortgage at ordinary rates);

(d) an opinion of counsel in the state in which such Mortgaged Property is located as to the recordability and enforceability of the applicable Mortgage in the relevant jurisdiction; and

(e) a flood zone certificate in favor of the Agent, and, if any Mortgaged Property with improvements located thereon is being identified as being within a special flood hazard area, flood insurance in an amount required by applicable law.

Receivables” means Accounts.

Recovery Event” has the meaning specified in Section 6.05(f).

Refinancing” means the repayment or refinancing of all third party Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Holdings and its Subsidiaries existing on the Effective Date (including the redemption, defeasance and/or tender for the Existing Notes) and the rollover and restatement of amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, but excluding (a) the Loan and Purchase Agreement between the Holdings and Continental Tire North America, Inc., (b) the sale/leaseback executed March 2002 with an affiliate of W.P. Carey, (c) any capital or financing leases, deferred purchase price and purchase money or vendor financing arrangements, in each case outstanding on the Effective Date and (d) other Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.01.

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof, and any successor provision thereto.

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof, and any successor provision thereto.

Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof, and any successor provision thereto.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, other representatives and controlling persons of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Rent Reserve” means an amount approximately equal to the aggregate monthly rent payable by the Borrowers on all leased properties in respect of which landlord’s or warehouseman’s waivers, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent, or Collateral Access Agreements, are not in effect or such greater amount as the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may, in their Permitted Discretion, reasonably determine to be appropriate.

 

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Reorganization” means, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.

Report” means reports prepared by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets from information furnished by or on behalf of the Loan Parties, after the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, subject to the provisions of Section 9.12.

Reportable Event” means any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived.

Required Lenders” means, at any time and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.04(g), Revolving Lenders having Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments at such time; provided that (i) the Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders at any time and (ii) if any Extended Revolving Commitments are outstanding, such Commitments shall be included in the determination of the Required Lenders.

Required Reserve Notice” means (a) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at least three days’ advance notice to the Borrower Agent, and (b) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, one days’ advance notice to the Borrower Agent (or no advance notice to the Borrower Agent, as may reasonably be determined to be appropriate by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in their Permitted Discretion to protect the interests of the Lenders).

Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or Regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Reserves” means all (if any) Availability Reserves (including Dilution Reserves, Rent Reserves and, if a Liquidity Event exists, Banking Services Reserves and Secured Swap Reserves), and any and all other reserves which the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent deems necessary in its Permitted Discretion.

Reserve Percentage” means the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of 1%) applicable to member banks under regulations issued from time to time by the Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities”).

Responsible Officer” of any Person means the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the chief operating officer or any Financial Officer of such Person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person

 

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in respect of this Agreement, and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date (but subject to the express requirements set forth in Article IV), shall include any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. 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 Debt Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.08(b).

Restricted Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.08(b).

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in Holdings or the Company, 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 Equity Interests in Holdings or the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in Holdings or the Company.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Borrowing” means a request for Revolving Loans.

Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Protective Advances, Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04 and (c) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.23. The initial amount of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $450,000,000.

Revolving Commitment Increase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23(b).

Revolving Commitment Increase Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.23(b).

Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amounts of Swingline Loans and Protective Advances outstanding at such time.

Revolving Extension Request” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(a).

Revolving Lender” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Revolving Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.

 

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Revolving Loan” means the loans and advances made by the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a), Swingline Loans and Protective Advances.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of its functions.

Second Priority Lien” means any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party that is granted under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents and that, pursuant and subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, is junior in priority to the Liens of the Agent in the Collateral.

Section 2.27 Additional Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27(c).

Secured Obligations” means all Obligations.

Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Secured Swap Obligations” means all Swap Obligations owing to the Agent, a Joint Lead Arranger, the Co-Collateral Agent, a Revolving Lender or any Affiliate thereof and with respect to which the Company (or other Loan Party) and the Revolving Lender or other Person referred to above in this definition party thereto shall have delivered (except in the case of the Agent) written notice to the Agent, at or prior to the time that the Swap Agreement relating to such obligation is entered into or, if later, the time that such Revolving Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, that such a transaction has been entered into and that it constitutes a Secured Swap Obligation entitled to the benefits of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, all Swap Obligations owing to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall constitute Secured Swap Obligations.

Secured Swap Reserves” means all Reserves which the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Liquidity Event establishes in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect reasonably anticipated Secured Swap Obligations then provided or outstanding.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Loan Parties and the Agent.

 

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Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of the date of determination, the ratio of (a) the Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recent Test Period ended on or prior to such date of determination, which Indebtedness is secured by Liens, less an amount equal to the amount of any cash and Permitted Investments of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date, to (b) EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Test Period.

Senior Secured Note Documents” means the Senior Secured Note Indenture and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing the Senior Secured Notes or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

Senior Secured Note Indenture” means the indenture under which the Senior Secured Notes are issued.

Senior Secured Notes” means the Company’s 9 3/4% Senior Secured Fixed Rate Notes due 2017, in an initial aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000.

Senior Secured Notes Security Documents” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Senior Subordinated Notes” means the Company’s 11.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018, in an initial aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000.

Senior Subordinated Note Documents” means the indenture and note purchase agreement under which the Senior Subordinated Notes are issued and/or governed and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.

Settlement” and “Settlement Date” have the meanings assigned to such terms in Section 2.05(b).

Specified Existing Revolving Credit Commitment Class” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.27.

Specified Payment” means (a) any investment, loan or advance pursuant to Section 6.04(v), (b) any Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(x), and (c) any Restricted Debt Payment pursuant to Section 6.08(b)(vi).

Specified Representations” means the representations made in Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.03(b) and (c), 3.08, 3.12, 3.15, 3.17, 3.18 and 3.21.

Specified Transaction” means, with respect to any period, any investment (including any acquisition), sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted Payment, Subsidiary designation or other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”.

Sponsor” means TPG Capital, L.P. and its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of the foregoing.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

Subordinated Vendor Inventory Eligibility Conditions” means each of the following conditions precedent, the satisfaction of each of which, as reasonably determined by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, shall be a condition to the inclusion in the Borrowing Base of any Eligible Subordinated Vendor Inventory:

(i) the Borrowers shall have given the Agent at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice of their intent to include Inventory subject to a Vendor Lien in the Borrowing Base;

(ii) the Borrowers shall have given the Agent copies of the security agreement and all related documentation delivered by or on behalf of the applicable vendor and the Borrower at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed date of inclusion of such Inventory in the Borrowing Base; and

(iii) the Borrowers and the applicable vendor shall have executed and delivered to the Agent a duly executed and completed Vendor Lien Subordination Agreement (in form substantially similar to Exhibit H or such other form as is reasonably acceptable to the Agent) at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed date of inclusion of such Inventory in the Borrowing Base.

Eligible Subordinated Vendor Inventory shall be included in the Borrowing Base on the 5th Business Day after the Agent’s or the Co-Collateral Agent’s determination that each of the foregoing conditions have been satisfied. If at any time any of the foregoing conditions ceases to be satisfied, the Eligible Subordinated Vendor Inventory shall be deemed ineligible and excluded from the Borrowing Base.

Subordinated Vendor Lien” means a Vendor Lien that has been subordinated to the Lien of the Agent on the Collateral (i) in the case of the Existing Subordinated Vendors, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Existing Subordination Agreements, (ii) in the case of each other vendor, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Vendor Lien Subordination Agreement executed by such vendor and with respect to this clause (ii), subject to the satisfaction of each of the Subordinated Vendor Inventory Eligibility Conditions.

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary” means, unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing (and except for purposes of Sections 3.06, 3.09, 3.10, 3.14, 5.04, 5.08, and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” contained herein), an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Super Majority Lenders” means, at any time and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.04(g), Revolving Lenders having Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 66  2/3% of the sum of the total Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments at such time; provided that (i) the Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Super Majority Lenders at any time and (ii) if any Extended Revolving Commitments are outstanding, such Commitments shall be included in the determination of the Super Majority Lenders.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any Derivative Transaction between the Company or any Subsidiary and any other Person.

Swap Obligations” of a Person means any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and however and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction.

Swingline Exposure” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, at any time, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.

Swingline Lender” means Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Termination Date” means the date on which all Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full in cash (other than Secured Swap Obligations, Banking Services Obligations and any contingent or inchoate obligations not then due and payable) and the Commitments and all Letters of Credit are terminated (other than Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized on terms set forth in Section 2.06(j) or back-stopped following the termination of the Commitments).

Test Period” means, for any determination under this Agreement, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company then last ended and for which financial statements have been delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable.

Title Insurance Company” means the title insurance company providing the Title Insurance Policies.

Title Insurance Policies” means the lender’s title insurance policies issued to Agent with respect to the Mortgaged Properties.

TopCo” means Accelerate Holdings Corp. a Delaware corporation.

 

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Total Assets” means the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company or such other Person as may be expressly stated.

Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by or on behalf of the Sponsor, TopCo, Holdings, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates in connection with the Transactions and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the Merger and the payment of the Merger Funds, (b) the Equity Contribution, (c) the Refinancing, (d) the entering into the Senior Secured Notes Documents and the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes and the use of the proceeds thereof, (e) the entering into the Senior Subordinated Notes Documents and the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and the use of the proceeds thereof, (f) the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents and the funding of the Revolving Loans on the Effective Date and the use of the proceeds thereof, (g) the consummation of any other transactions connected with the foregoing and (h) the payment of Transaction Expenses.

Trigger Event” means, at any time, that Excess Availability is less than the greater of (a) $25,000,000 and (b) 12.5% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base. Upon the occurrence of any Trigger Event, such Trigger Event shall be deemed to be continuing notwithstanding that Excess Availability may thereafter exceed the amount set forth in the preceding sentence unless and until Excess Availability exceeds such amount for thirty (30) consecutive days, in which event a Trigger Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing.

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person and for any period, Capital Expenditures made by such Person during such period and not financed from any Net Cash Proceeds or Revolving Loans.

Uncontrolled Cash” means all amounts from time to time on deposit in the Designated Disbursement Account.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company designated by the Company after the Effective Date as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Agent in accordance with Section 5.13.

Unsubordinated Vendor Debt” means Vendor Debt that is not a Subordinated Vendor Debt.

Value” with reference to the value of Eligible Tire Inventory or Eligible Non-Tire Inventory, as the case may be, on any date, means value determined on the basis of the lower of cost or market value of such Eligible Tire Inventory or Eligible Non-Tire Inventory, as the case may be,

 

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with the cost thereof calculated on a FIFO (or first in, first out) accounting basis as determined in accordance with GAAP, and with reference to Eligible Receivables, the book value thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Vendor Debt” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary to any vendor of tires.

Vendor Lien” means a Lien created in favor of a vendor of tires to a Borrower, that encumbers exclusively all or any of such vendor’s branded tire inventory and does not encumber any proceeds thereof or any other Collateral.

Vendor Lien Subordination Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto (or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent (it being understood that the Existing Subordination Agreements are acceptable to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent)) whereby, among other things, a vendor of tires subordinates its Vendor Lien to the Lien of the Agent on the Collateral.

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

SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Revolving Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally. 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 (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements, extensions, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) 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.

SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Agent that the

 

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Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.02.

SECTION 1.05 Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement. This Agreement, taken together with the Security Agreement, amends and restates the Existing Credit Agreement, and on and after the date hereof, each reference in any Loan Document to “the Credit Agreement”, “therein”, “thereof”, “thereunder” or words of similar import when referring to the Existing Credit Agreement shall mean, and shall hereafter be a reference to, the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement and the Security Agreement. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees, as of the date hereof, for itself and for each of its Subsidiaries, that it does not have any claims, offsets, counterclaims, cross-complaints, defenses or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever under or relating to the Existing Credit Agreement, the other “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) or any of the obligations existing thereunder that could be asserted to reduce or eliminate all or any part of the obligation of any Loan Party to pay any amounts owed thereunder, or to assert any claim for affirmative relief or damages against any lender party thereto. Nothing contained herein is intended to be or operate as a novation or an accord and satisfaction of the Existing Credit Agreement or the Secured Obligations evidenced or secured thereby or provided for thereunder.

ARTICLE II.

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01 Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (ii) the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the lesser of (x) the sum of the total Revolving Commitments and (y) the Borrowing Base (subject to the Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances and Overadvances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04) or (iii) the total Revolving Loans made or retained outstanding on the Effective Date exceeding $185,000,000. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

SECTION 2.02 Revolving Loans and Borrowings

(a) Each Revolving Loan (other than a Swingline Loan or a Protective Advance) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. Any Protective Advance and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05, respectively.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans as the Borrower Agent may request in accordance

 

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herewith. Each Swingline Loan and each Protective Advance shall be an ABR Loan. Each Revolving Lender at its option may make any LIBOR Rate Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Revolving Lender to make such Revolving Loan; provided that (i) any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Revolving Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) in exercising such option, such Revolving Lender shall use reasonable efforts to minimize any increase in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or increased costs to the Borrowers resulting therefrom (which obligation of such Lender shall not require it to take, or refrain from taking, actions that it determines would result in increased costs for which it will not be compensated hereunder or that it otherwise determines would be disadvantageous to it and in the event of such request for costs for which compensation is provided under this Agreement, the provisions of Section 2.15 shall apply).

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Revolving Borrowing, such Revolving Borrowing shall comprise an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000. Each ABR Revolving Borrowing when made shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be made in a lesser aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e). Revolving Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of ten different Interest Periods in effect for LIBOR Rate Revolving Borrowings at any time outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower Agent shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Revolving Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03 Requests for Revolving Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower Agent shall notify the Agent of such request either in writing by delivery of a Borrowing Request (by hand or facsimile) signed by the Borrower Agent or by telephone (a) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, two (2) Business Days) before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing (including any such notice of an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e)), not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower Agent. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.01:

(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Revolving Borrowing.

(ii) the date of such Revolving Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Revolving Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a LIBOR Rate Borrowing;

 

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(iv) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested LIBOR Rate Borrowing, then the Borrower Agent shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04 Protective Advances and Overadvances. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth below (and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.02), the Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the Revolving Lenders, from time to time in the Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation), to make Loans to the Borrowers, on behalf of all Lenders whether or not any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 has not been satisfied or waived, including the failure to comply with the conditions set forth in Section 2.01, which the Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (x) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (y) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (z) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (each such Loan, a “Protective Advance”). Any Protective Advance may be made in a principal amount that would cause the aggregate Revolving Exposure to exceed the Borrowing Base; provided that no Protective Advance may be made to the extent that, after giving effect to such Protective Advance (together with the outstanding principal amount of any outstanding Protective Advances), the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances outstanding hereunder would exceed, as determined on the date of such proposed Protective Advance, and is not known by the Agent to exceed, together with Overadvances described in Section 2.04(c), 10% of the Revolving Commitments at such time, or to exist for more than thirty (30) consecutive Business Days or more than forty-five (45) Business Days in any twelve month period, and provided further that, the aggregate amount of outstanding Protective Advances plus any Overadvances described in Section 2.04(c) plus the aggregate of all other Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the aggregate total Commitments. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied or waived. The Agent agrees to use reasonable efforts to deliver prompt notice to the Lenders of any Protective Advance or Overadvance. Each Protective Advance shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. The Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Agent’s receipt thereof. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion. At any time that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied or waived, the Agent may request the Revolving Lenders to make a Revolving Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time, the Agent may require the Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).

 

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(b) Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, unconditionally and irrevocably to have purchased from the Agent without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Agent shall promptly distribute to such Revolving Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Section 2.04 or this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and whether or not a Default or Event of Default exists at the time, the Agent may require all Revolving Lenders to honor requests or deemed requests by the Borrowers for Revolving Loans at a time that an Overadvance Condition exists or which would result in an Overadvance Condition and each Lender shall be obligated to continue to make its Applicable Percentage of any such Overadvance Loan up to a maximum amount outstanding equal to its Revolving Commitment, so long as such Overadvance is not known by the Agent to exceed, together with Protective Advances described in Section 2.04(a), 10% of the Revolving Commitments at such time or to exist for more than thirty (30) consecutive Business Days or more than forty-five (45) Business Days in any twelve month period.

SECTION 2.05 Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may in its discretion, and in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, make available Swingline Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $45,000,000 or (ii) the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the lesser of the total Revolving Commitments and the Borrowing Base; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower Agent shall notify the Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by facsimile), not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower Agent. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrowers by means of a credit to the Funding Account or otherwise in accordance with the instructions of the Borrower Agent (including, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank, and in the case of repayment of another Loan or fees or expenses as provided by Section 2.18(c), by remittance to the Agent to be distributed to the Lenders) on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(b) To facilitate administration of the Revolving Loans, the Revolving Lenders and the Agent agree (which agreement is solely among them, and not for the benefit of or enforceable by any Borrower) that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, settlement among them as to the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans and the Protective Advances shall take place on a periodic basis in accordance with this clause (b). The Agent shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the Revolving Lenders on at least a weekly

 

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basis, or on a more frequent basis if so determined by the Agent, (A) on behalf of the Swingline Lender, with respect to each outstanding Swingline Loan and (B) with respect to collections received, in each case, by notifying the Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of such requested Settlement, no later than 2:30p.m. New York City Time, on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). Each Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of Swingline Loans) shall make the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the Swingline Loans with respect to which Settlement is requested available to the Agent, to such account of the Agent as the Agent may designate, not later than 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Settlement Date applicable thereto, which may occur before or after the occurrence or during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Article IV have then been satisfied without regard to the any minimum amount specified therein. Such amounts made available to the Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the applicable Swingline Loan and, together with the portion of such Swingline Loan representing the Swingline Lender’s pro rata share thereof, shall constitute Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lenders. If any such amount is not made available to the Agent by any Revolving Lender on the Settlement Date applicable thereto, the Agent shall, on behalf of the Swingline Lender with respect to each outstanding Swingline Loan, be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the first three days from and after the Settlement Date and thereafter at the interest rate then applicable to Revolving Loans. Between Settlement Dates the Agent may pay over to the Swingline Lender any payments received by the Agent, which in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to the Swingline Lender’s Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans. If, as of any Settlement Date, collections received since the then immediately preceding Settlement Date have been applied to the Swingline Lender’s Revolving Loans, the Swingline Lender shall pay to the Agent for the accounts of the Revolving Lenders, to be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, an amount such that each Revolving Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have, as of such Settlement Date, its Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Loans. During the period between Settlement Dates, the Swingline Lender with respect to Swingline Loans, the Agent with respect to Protective Advances and each Revolving Lender with respect to its Revolving Loans shall be entitled to interest thereon at the applicable rate or rates payable under this Agreement.

(c) In addition, the Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require the Revolving 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 Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving 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 such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Lender (and Section 2.07

 

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shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Agent shall notify the Borrower Agent of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrowers (or other party on behalf of any Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Agent; any such amounts received by the Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or the Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to any Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof.

SECTION 2.06 Letters of Credit. (a) General. On and after the Effective Date, each Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a Letter of Credit issued hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and for purposes hereof will be deemed to have been issued on the Effective Date. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.06, (A) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date to but not including the 5th Business Day, prior to the Maturity Date, upon the request of the Borrower Agent, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars only and issued on sight basis only for the account of one or more of the Borrowers (or any other Subsidiary of the Company so long as the Company is a joint and several co-applicant, and references to the Company or a “Borrower” in this Section 2.06 shall be deemed to include reference to such Subsidiary) and to amend or renew Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.06(b), and (B) to honor drafts under the Letters of Credit, and (ii) the Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in the Letters of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.06(d). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers’ ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrowers may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower Agent shall hand deliver or facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Agent, at least two (2) Business Days, in advance of the requested date of issuance (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank), a request to issue in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto (each a “Letter of Credit Request”). To request an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower Agent shall submit such a request on its letterhead, addressed to the applicable Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Agent) at least two (2) Business Days, in advance of the requested date of amendment, extension or renewal, identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the proposed date (which shall be a Business Day) and other details of the amendment, extension or renewal. Requests for issuance, amendment, renewal or extension must be accompanied by such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower Agent also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and

 

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the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower Agent to, or entered into by the Borrower Agent or any Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended if (and on issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000 and (ii) the total Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the lesser of the total Revolving Commitments and the Borrowing Base. Promptly after the delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Bank will also deliver to the Borrower Agent and the Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment. Upon receipt of such Letter of Credit or amendment, the Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders, in writing, of such Letter of Credit or amendment, and if so requested by a Revolving Lender the Agent will provide such Revolving Lender with copies of such Letter of Credit or amendment. With respect to commercial Letters of Credit, each Issuing Bank shall, on the first Business Day of each week, submit to the Agent, by facsimile, a report detailing the daily aggregate total of commercial Letters of Credit for the previous calendar week.

(c) Expiration Date. Each standby Letter of Credit shall expire not later than the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided that any standby Letter of Credit may provide for the automatic extension thereof for any number of additional periods each of up to one year in duration (none of which, in any event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) of this paragraph (c)). Each commercial Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (i) 180 days after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (ii) the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date.

(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the applicable Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.06, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to any Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement. If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the date the Borrower Agent receives notice of such LC Disbursement under paragraph (g) of this Section 2.06; provided

 

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that the Borrower Agent may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.06 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, any Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Agent, the Revolving Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse such Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by each Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by any Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of applicable Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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(g) Disbursement Procedures. The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Agent and the Borrower Agent by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at the written request of the Borrower Agent and without the consent of the Agent at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank, and acknowledged by the Agent. The Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j) Cash Collateralization. If (A) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, (B) Excess Availability shall at any time be less than zero, (C) the Maturity Date shall occur or (D) if and to the extent required in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.28, on the Business Day that the Borrower Agent receives notice from the Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, upon such demand, the Borrowers shall deposit, in an account with the Agent, in the name of the Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 103% of the LC Exposure as of such date; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of

 

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Default with respect to any Borrower described in clause (g) or (h) of Article VII. Such deposit shall be held by the Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (j). The Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account and each Borrower hereby grants the Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Agent and at the Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (together with all interest and other earnings with respect thereto, to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned promptly to the Borrower Agent but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after such Event of Default has been cured or waived. If Borrowers fail to provide any cash collateral as required by this Section 2.06(j), the Lenders may (and, upon direction of the Agent, shall) advance, as Revolving Loans, the amount of the cash collateral required (whether or not the Commitments have terminated, a Protective Advance or Overadvance exists or the conditions in Article IV are satisfied).

SECTION 2.07 Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that, Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to the Funding Account or as otherwise directed by the Borrower Agent; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank and (ii) a Protective Advance shall be retained by the Agent to be applied as contemplated by Section 2.04 (and the Agent shall, upon the request of the Borrower Agent, deliver to the Borrower Agent a reasonably detailed accounting of such application).

(b) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrowers severally agree to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights which the Agent or any Borrower or any Loan Party may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

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SECTION 2.08 Type; Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower Agent may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.08. The Borrower Agent may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section 2.08 shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower Agent shall notify the Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower Agent were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Agent and signed by the Borrower Agent.

(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a LIBOR Rate Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a LIBOR Rate Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower Agent shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Borrower Agent fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a LIBOR Rate Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such

 

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Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Agent, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing with respect to Revolving Loans may be converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each LIBOR Rate Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the then-current Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Revolving Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, all Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date applicable to them and each Extension Series of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date applicable to such Series.

(b) Upon delivering the notice required by Section 2.09(d), the Borrower Agent may at any time terminate the Revolving Commitments upon (i) the payment in full of all outstanding Revolving Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (ii) the cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Agent of a cash deposit (or at the discretion of the Agent a back up standby letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) equal to 103% of the LC Exposure as of such date) and (iii) the payment in full of all accrued and unpaid fees and all reimbursable expenses then due and payable under the Loan Documents.

(c) Upon delivering the notice required by Section 2.09(d), the Borrower Agent may from time to time reduce the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000, (ii) the Borrower Agent shall not reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Exposures would exceed the lesser of the total Revolving Commitments and the Borrowing Base and (iii) any such reduction shall apply proportionately and permanently to reduce the Revolving Commitments of each of the Revolving Lenders, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the establishment on any date of any Extended Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.27, the Revolving Commitments of any one or more Lenders providing any such Extended Revolving Commitments on such date shall be reduced in an amount equal to the amount of Revolving Commitments so extended on such date (provided that (x) after giving effect to any such reduction and to the repayment of any Revolving Loans made on such date, the Revolving Exposure of any such Lender does not exceed lesser of the Revolving Commitment thereof and its Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing Base (such Revolving Exposure, Revolving Commitment and Applicable Percentage being determined in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, exclusive of such Lender’s Extended Revolving Commitment and any exposure in respect thereof) and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any such repayment of Revolving Loans contemplated by the preceding clause shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 2.18 with respect to the ratable allocation of payments hereunder, with such allocation being determined after giving effect to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.27 of Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans into Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended Revolving Loans, respectively, and prior to any reduction being made to the Revolving Commitment of any other Lender).

(d) The Borrower Agent shall notify the Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments under paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Agent shall advise the Revolving Lenders of the contents thereof. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.09 shall be permanent.

 

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SECTION 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Agent, (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the Maturity Date and (iv) to the Agent for the account of each Extending Lender of each Extension Series, the then unpaid principal amount of each Extended Revolving Loan of such Extension Series on the maturity date for such Extension Series; provided that on each date that a Revolving Loan is made while any Swingline Loan or Protective Advance is outstanding, the Borrowers shall repay all such Swingline Loans and Protective Advances with the proceeds of such Revolving Loan then outstanding.

(b) At all times after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Liquidity Event and notification thereof by the Agent to the Borrower Agent (subject to the provisions of Section 2.18(b) and to the terms of the Security Agreement), on each Business Day, at or before 1:00 p.m., New York City time, the Agent shall apply all immediately available funds credited to the BANA Account or such other account directed by the Agent pursuant to Section 2.21(b), first to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Revolving Lenders (other than in connection with Banking Services or Secured Swap Obligations), pro rata, second to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) and any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, third to prepay the principal of any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and fourth to prepay the principal of the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure, pro rata.

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

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

(e) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(f) Any Revolving Lender may request that Revolving Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Revolving Lender a promissory note payable to such Revolving Lender and its registered assigns and in substantially the form of Exhibit G hereto.

 

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SECTION 2.11 Prepayment of Loans. (a) Upon prior notice in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 2.11, the Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Revolving Borrowing in whole or in part without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.16).

(b) Except for Protective Advances and Overadvance Loans permitted under Section 2.04, in the event and on each Business Day on which the total Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base, the Borrowers shall promptly prepay first, any outstanding Swingline Loans in an amount equal to such excess Swingline Loans, second, if any excess remains after prepaying all Swingline Loans, any outstanding Revolving Loans in an amount equal to any remaining excess and third, if any excess remains after prepaying all Swingline Loans and all Revolving Loans, depositing an amount in cash in an amount equal to any remaining excess in the LC Collateral Account.

(c) On each occasion that a Non-Ordinary Course Asset Disposition or Recovery Event occurs when Excess Availability is less than 12.5% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowing Base, the Borrowers shall promptly prepay after receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds therefrom, first, any outstanding Swingline Loans, in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds, second, if any Net Cash Proceeds remain after prepaying all Swingline Loans, any outstanding Revolving Loans in an amount equal to any remaining Net Cash Proceeds, and third, if any Net Cash Proceeds remain after prepaying all Swingline Loans and all Revolving Loans, depositing an amount in cash equal to any remaining Net Cash Proceeds in the LC Collateral Account.

(d) The Borrower Agent shall notify the Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the day of prepayment, or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13.

SECTION 2.12 Fees. (a) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of calculating the commitment fees only, no portion of the Revolving Commitments shall be deemed utilized as a result of outstanding Swingline Loans.

 

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(b) The Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to LIBOR Rate Revolving Loans on the daily amount of such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements), during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Revolving Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, a fronting fee, in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit through the expiration date of such Letter of Credit (or if terminated on an earlier date to the termination date of such Letter of Credit), computed at a rate equal to 0.125% per annum or such other percentage per annum to be agreed upon between the Borrower Agent and such Issuing Bank of the daily stated amount of such Letter of Credit, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder; provided that no fronting fee payable pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be less than $500.00 per annum. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of each March, June, September and December shall be payable on the first Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed.

(c) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent, for its own account, such agency fees as may be separately agreed upon by the Company and the Agent, including pursuant to the Fee Letter, payable in the amounts and at the times so agreed.

(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

SECTION 2.13 Interest. (a) The Revolving Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan and each Protective Advance) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Revolving Loans comprising each LIBOR Rate Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

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(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the applicable Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBOR Rate or LIBOR Rate shall be determined by the Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14 Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Borrowing:

(i) the Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the LIBOR Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or

(ii) the Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the LIBOR Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower Agent and the Lenders by telephone or facsimile as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Agent notifies the Borrower Agent and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a LIBOR Rate Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereof, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a LIBOR Rate Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.15 Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate) or Issuing Bank; or impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, following delivery of the certificate contemplated

 

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by paragraph (c) of this Section, the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered (except for any Taxes, which shall be dealt with exclusively pursuant to Section 2.17).

(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law other than due to Taxes, which shall be dealt with exclusively pursuant to Section 2.17 (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time following delivery of the certificate contemplated by paragraph (c) of this Section the Borrowers will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and setting forth in reasonable detail the manner in which such amount or amounts was determined shall be delivered to the Borrower Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower Agent of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(d) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Agent pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(e), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender to be the

 

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excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section and the basis therefor and setting forth in reasonable detail the manner in which such amount or amounts was determined shall be delivered to the Borrower Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17 Taxes.

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if a Loan Party shall be required to deduct, withhold, or remit any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Agent, Lender or any Issuing Bank (as applicable) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Loan Party shall make such deductions and (iii) such Loan Party shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If at any time a Loan Party is required by applicable law to make any deduction or withholding from any sum payable hereunder, such Loan Party shall promptly notify the relevant Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank upon becoming aware of the same. In addition, each Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank shall promptly notify a Loan Party upon becoming aware of any circumstances as a result of which a Loan Party is or would be required to make any deduction or withholding from any sum payable hereunder.

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

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

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Agent the

 

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original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower Agent (with a copy to the Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate (including any documentation necessary to prevent withholding under Sections 1471 or 1472 of the Code). In particular, on or prior to the date which is ten (10) Business Days after the Effective Date, each Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Agent (with a copy to the Agent) two duly signed, properly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN or any successor thereto (relating to such Foreign Lender and entitling it to an exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax on payments to be made to such Foreign Lender by any Borrower or any other Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document), IRS Form W-8ECI or any successor thereto (relating to payments to be made to such Foreign Lender by any Borrower or any other Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document), IRS Form W-8IMY (and any applicable underlying IRS Forms) or such other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower Agent and the Agent that such Foreign Lender is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding tax, including any exemption pursuant to Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, and in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming such an exemption under Section 881(c) of the Code, a certificate that establishes in writing to the Borrower Agent and the Agent that such Foreign Lender is not (i) a “bank” as defined in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (ii) a 10-percent shareholder within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (iii) a controlled foreign corporation related to a Borrower with the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Foreign Lender shall (A) promptly so long as it is eligible to do so submit to the Borrower Agent (with a copy to the Agent) such additional duly completed and signed copies of one or more of such forms or certificates (or such successor forms or certificates as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower Agent and the Agent of any available exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender by any Borrower or other Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document, in each case, (1) on or before the date that any such form, certificate or other evidence expires or becomes obsolete, (2) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form, certificate or evidence previously delivered by it to the Borrower Agent and (3) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower Agent or the Agent, and (B) promptly notify the Borrower Agent and the Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction. For the avoidance of doubt, if, as a result of a Change in Law, a Foreign Lender is no longer legally able to provide documentation with respect to an exemption from or a reduction of withholding tax, such Foreign Lender will be treated as complying with this Section 2.17(e) and such inability will not affect the Foreign Lender’s rights under Section 2.17(a).

(f) Each Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower Agent a statement signed by an authorized signatory of the Lender to the effect that it is a United

 

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States person together with a duly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-9 or successor form and any documentation necessary to prevent withholding under Sections 1471 or 1472 of the Code, to the extent applicable.

(g) If the Agent or a Lender determines, in good faith in its reasonable sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which such Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent or such Lender (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) as is determined by the Agent or such Lender in good faith in its sole discretion, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay as soon as reasonably practicable the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Agent or such Lender in the event the Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section shall not be construed to require the Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to such Loan Party or any other Person.

(h) If the Borrower Agent determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes for which additional amounts have been paid under this Section 2.17, the relevant Lender, Agent or Issuing Bank shall cooperate with the Borrower Agent in challenging such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, at the Borrowers’ expense, if so requested by the Borrower Agent in writing.

SECTION 2.18 Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs. (a) Unless otherwise specified, each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower Agent by the Agent, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars. Any payment required to be made by the Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Agent to make such payment. At all times that the circumstances specified in Section 2.21(d) are in effect, solely for purposes of determining the amount of Revolving Loans available for borrowing purposes, checks and cash or other immediately available funds from collections of items of payment and proceeds of any Collateral shall be applied in whole or in part against the applicable Obligations, on the day of receipt, subject to actual collection.

 

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(b) Subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, all proceeds of Collateral received by the Agent after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall upon election by the Agent or at the direction of the Required Lenders be applied, first, to, ratably, pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent or any Issuing Bank from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services or Secured Swap Obligations), second, ratably, to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Revolving Lenders from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services or Secured Swap Obligations), third, to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Revolving Loans (including any Swingline Loans) and any Protective Advances, ratably, fourth, to pay the principal of the Protective Advances, fifth, to prepay principal on the Revolving Loans (other than the Protective Advances) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, ratably, sixth, to pay an amount to the Agent equal to 103% of the LC Exposure on such date, to be held in the LC Collateral Account as cash collateral for such Obligations, seventh, to pay any amounts owing with respect to Banking Services and Secured Swap Obligations, ratably, eighth, to the payment of any other Obligation due to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent or any Revolving Lender by the Borrowers, ninth, as provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement and tenth, to the Borrowers or as the Borrower Agent shall direct.

(c) If any Revolving Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances resulting in such Revolving Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Revolving Lender, then the Revolving Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances of other Revolving Lenders at such time outstanding to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances; provided that (A) 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 (B) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Revolving Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances to any assignee or participant. Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Revolving Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Revolving Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower Agent prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Agent may assume that

 

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the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank 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 Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 2.04(b), 2.05(b), 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(c) or 9.03(c), then the Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

(f) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Agent may (but shall not be required to), in its discretion, retain any payments or other funds received by the Agent that are otherwise to be provided to a Defaulting Lender hereunder, and may apply such funds to such Defaulting Lender’s defaulted obligations or readvance such funds to the Borrowers in connection with the funding of any Revolving Loan or issuance of any Letters of Credit hereunder, including cash collateralization thereof, in accordance with this Agreement.

SECTION 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall 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 reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower Agent may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Agent, replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to assign and delegate (and such Lender shall be obligated to assign and delegate), without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower Agent shall have received the prior written consent of the Agent and each Issuing Bank, which consent in each case shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, 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) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting

 

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from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. The Agent is irrevocably appointed as attorney-in-fact to execute any Assignment and Assumption(s) if the Defaulting Lender fails to execute the same. A Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower Agent to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that any Borrower or any Lender may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender.

SECTION 2.20 Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Effective Date that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable lending office to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower Agent through the Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to LIBOR Rate Borrowings shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Agent and the Borrower Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower Agent shall upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Agent), either convert all LIBOR Rate Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted. Each Lender agrees to designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the determination of such Lender, otherwise be disadvantageous to it.

SECTION 2.21 Cash Receipts. (a) Each Loan Party shall, within sixty (60) days after the Effective Date (or such later date approved by the Agent in its reasonable discretion), enter into a control agreement (each, a “Blocked Account Agreement”), in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, with the Agent and any bank with which such Loan Party maintains a DDA (other than an Excluded Account) (collectively, the “Blocked Accounts”).

(b) Each Borrower agrees that it will cause all proceeds of the ABL First Lien Collateral (other than the Uncontrolled Cash) to be deposited into a Blocked Account, which deposits may be made through a remote scanning process for purposes of depositing payment items into the Blocked Accounts from time to time. Each Borrower agrees that it will promptly cause all such payment items to be scanned and deposited into Blocked Accounts and will provide copies at the Agent’s reasonable written request of any and all agreements entered into by a Borrower with any third party that provides the scanning equipment or the services to reconcile the invoices with any scanned payment items.

(c) Each Blocked Account Agreement shall require, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or other Liquidity Event (and delivery of notice thereof from the Agent to the Borrower Agent and the other parties to such instrument or agreement) the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than once per Business Day (unless the Termination Date shall have occurred), of all available cash balances and cash receipts, including the then contents or then entire ledger balance of each Blocked Account (net of such minimum balance, not to exceed $250,000 as may be required to be maintained in the subject Blocked Account by the bank at which such Blocked Account is maintained and other than any Uncontrolled Cash), to an account maintained by the Agent at BANA (the “BANA Account”) or such other account as directed by the

 

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Agent. Subject to the terms of the Security Agreement, all amounts received in the BANA Account or such other account shall be applied (and allocated) by the Agent in accordance with Section 2.10(b); provided that if the circumstances described in Section 2.18(b) are applicable, all such amounts shall be applied in accordance with such Section 2.18(b).

(d) If, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or other Liquidity Event, any cash or cash equivalents owned by any Loan Party (other than (i) an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate that is on deposit in a segregated DDA which the Borrower Agent designates in writing to the Agent as being the “uncontrolled cash account” (the “Designated Disbursement Account”), which funds shall not be funded from, or when withdrawn from the Designated Disbursement Account, shall not be replenished by, funds constituting proceeds of the ABL First Lien Collateral so long as such Event of Default or other Liquidity Event continues, (ii) de minimus cash or cash equivalents from time to time inadvertently misapplied by any Loan Party and (iii) payroll, trust and tax withholding accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) funded in the ordinary course of business and required by applicable law) are deposited to any account, or held or invested in any manner, otherwise than in a Blocked Account subject to a Blocked Account Agreement, the Agent shall be entitled to require the applicable Loan Party to close such account and have all funds therein transferred to a Blocked Account, and to cause all future deposits to be made to a Blocked Account.

(e) The Loan Parties may close DDAs or Blocked Accounts and/or open new DDAs or Blocked Accounts, subject to the contemporaneous execution and delivery to the Agent of a Blocked Account Agreement consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.21 and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(f) Subject to clause (h) below, the BANA Account shall at all times be under the sole dominion and control of the Agent. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Security Agreement, (i) such Loan Party has no right of withdrawal from the BANA Account, (ii) the funds on deposit in the BANA Account shall at all times continue to be collateral security for all of the Secured Obligations, and (iii) the funds on deposit in the BANA Account shall be applied as provided in this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.21, any Loan Party receives or otherwise has dominion and control of any proceeds or collections required to be transferred to the BANA Account pursuant to Section 2.21(c), such proceeds and collections shall be held in trust by such Loan Party for the Agent, shall not be commingled with any of such Loan Party’s other funds or deposited in any account of such Loan Party and shall promptly be deposited into the BANA Account or dealt with in such other fashion as such Loan Party may be instructed by the Agent.

(g) So long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) no other Liquidity Event as to which the Agent has notified the Borrower Agent has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may direct, and shall have sole control over, the manner of disposition of funds in the Blocked Accounts.

(h) Any amounts held or received in the BANA Account (including all interest and other earnings with respect thereto, if any) at any time (x) after the Termination Date or (y) all Events of Default and other Liquidity Events have been cured shall (subject in the case of clause (x), to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement), be remitted to the operating account of the Company as specified by the Borrower Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.22 Reserves; Change in Reserves; Decisions by Agent and Co-Collateral Agent. (a) The Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent may at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion establish and increase or decrease Reserves; provided that, as a condition to the establishment of any new category of Reserves, or any increase in Reserves resulting from a change in the manner of determination thereof, any Required Reserve Notice shall have been given to the Borrower Agent. The amount of any Reserve established by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for the Reserve. Upon delivery of such notice, the Agent and Co-Collateral Agent shall be available to discuss the proposed Reserve or increase, and the Borrowers may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Reserve or increase no longer exists, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent in the exercise of their Permitted Discretion. In no event shall such notice and opportunity limit the right of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent to establish or change such Reserve, unless the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent shall have determined in its Permitted Discretion that the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such new Reserve or such change no longer exists or has otherwise been adequately addressed by the Borrowers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Reserves shall not duplicate eligibility criteria contained in the definition of “Eligible Receivable”, “Eligible Tire Inventory” or “Eligible Non-Tire Inventory” and vice versa, or reserves or criteria deducted in computing the cost or market value or Value of any Eligible Receivable, any Eligible Tire Inventory or any Eligible Non-Tire Inventory or the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of any Eligible Tire Inventory or any Eligible Non-Tire Inventory and vice versa.

(b) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) any Reserve may be established or increased by the Agent or Co-Collateral Agent without the consent of the other, and (ii) no Reserve may be decreased or eliminated without the consent of both the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent.

SECTION 2.23 Revolving Commitment Increases. (a) So long as no Default or Event of Default then exists, or would result therefrom, the Borrower Agent shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, to request one or more increases in the amount of the total Commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000,000 or, if less, the amount by which $650,000,000 exceeds the total Commitments then in effect (such amount, the “Aggregate Incremental Capacity”). Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the aggregate amount of Commitments and, without duplication, Loans outstanding hereunder at any time, including the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitment Increases, shall not exceed $650,000,000 at any time.

(b) Revolving Commitment Increases. (i) The Agent or any other Person may arrange for existing Revolving Lenders to increase their Revolving Commitments or for other Persons to become a Revolving Lender hereunder and to issue revolving commitments in an amount equal to the amount of the increase in the aggregate total of Revolving Commitments requested by the Borrower Agent (each such increase by either means, a “Revolving Commitment Increase”, and each such Person issuing, or Lender increasing, its Revolving Commitment, an “Additional Revolving Commitment Lender”); provided, however, that (A) no Revolving Lender shall be obligated to provide a Revolving Commitment Increase as a result of any such request by the Borrower Agent, and the Borrower Agent shall not be obligated to provide any existing Revolving Lender with the opportunity to provide a Revolving Commitment Increase and (B) any Additional Revolving Commitment Lender which is not an existing Revolving Lender shall be an Eligible Assignee and shall be subject to the approval of the Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Borrower

 

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Agent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). Each Revolving Commitment Increase shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of at least $20,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each Revolving Commitment Increase shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.23(b) and any Revolving Loans pursuant to such Revolving Commitment Increase or new Revolving Commitments shall be on the same terms and conditions as all other Revolving Loans, except with respect to any fees payable in connection therewith as may be separately agreed among the Borrower Agent and the Additional Revolving Commitment Lenders.

(ii) No Revolving Commitment Increase shall become effective unless and until each of the following conditions have been satisfied:

(A) the Borrower Agent, the Agent, and any Additional Revolving Commitment Lender shall have executed and delivered a customary joinder to the Loan Documents;

(B) the Borrowers shall have paid such fees and other compensation as the Borrower Agent and each such Additional Revolving Commitment Lender may agree;

(C) the Borrower Agent shall have delivered to the Agent and the Revolving Lenders an opinion or opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, from counsel to the Borrowers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (it being agreed that the counsel that delivers the legal opinions on the Effective Date shall be satisfactory to the Agent) and dated such date;

(D) to the extent requested by any Additional Revolving Commitment Lender, a promissory note will be issued at the Borrowers’ expense, to each such Additional Revolving Commitment Lender, to be in conformity with the requirements of Section 2.10 (with appropriate modification) to the extent necessary to reflect the new Revolving Commitment of such Additional Revolving Commitment Lender; and

(E) the Borrower Agent shall have delivered to the Agent (1) the resolutions adopted by each Borrower approving or consenting to such Revolving Commitment Increase and (2) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company to the effect that, after giving effect to the requested Revolving Commitment Increase, (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Revolving Credit Increase, as applicable, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date).

 

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(iii) The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Commitment Increase (with each date of such effectiveness being referred to herein as a “Revolving Commitment Increase Date”), and at such time (A) the aggregate total Revolving Commitments and the aggregate total Commitments under, and for all purposes of, this Agreement shall be increased by the aggregate amount of such Revolving Commitment Increases, (B) the Commitment Schedule shall be deemed modified, without further action, to reflect the revised Revolving Commitments of the Lenders, and (C) this Agreement shall be deemed amended, without further action, to the extent necessary to reflect such increased aggregate total Commitments.

(iv) In connection with Revolving Commitment Increases hereunder, the Lenders and the Borrowers agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (A) the Borrowers shall, in coordination with the Agent, (1) repay outstanding Revolving Loans of certain Lenders, and obtain Revolving Loans from certain other Revolving Lenders (including the Additional Revolving Commitment Lenders), or (2) take such other actions as reasonably may be required by the Agent, in each case to the extent necessary so that all of the Revolving Lenders effectively participate in each of the outstanding Revolving Loans pro rata on the basis of their Applicable Percentages (determined after giving effect to any increase in the aggregate total Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.23); and (B) the Borrowers shall pay to the Revolving Lenders any costs of the type referred to in Section 2.16 in connection with any repayment and/or prepayment of Revolving Loans required pursuant to preceding clause (A). Without limiting the obligations of the Borrowers provided for in this Section 2.23(b), the Agent and the Lenders agree that they will use their commercially reasonable efforts to attempt to minimize the costs of the type referred to in Section 2.16 which the Borrowers would otherwise occur in connection with the implementation of an increase in the aggregate total Revolving Commitments and the aggregate total Commitments hereunder.

SECTION 2.24 Borrower Agent. Each Borrower hereby designates the Company as its representative and agent (in such capacity, the “Borrower Agent”) for all purposes under the Loan Documents, including requests for Loans and Letters of Credit, designation of interest rates, delivery or receipt of communications, preparation and delivery of Borrowing Base Certificates and financial reports, receipt and payment of Obligations, requests for waivers, amendments or other accommodations, actions under the Loan Documents (including in respect of compliance with covenants), and all other dealings with the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks or any Lender. The Borrower Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any notice or communication (including any notice of borrowing) delivered by Borrower Agent on behalf of any Borrower. The Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lenders may give any notice or communication with a Borrower hereunder to the Borrower Agent on behalf of such Borrower. Each of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall have the right, in its discretion, to deal exclusively with the Borrower Agent for any or all purposes under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that any notice, election, communication, representation, agreement or undertaking made on its behalf by the Borrower Agent shall be binding upon and enforceable against it. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no Borrower (other than the Borrower Agent) shall be authorized to request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

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SECTION 2.25 Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers. (a) Each Borrower agrees that it is absolutely and unconditionally jointly and severally liable, as co-borrower, for the prompt payment and performance of all Obligations and all agreements of each of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that its co-borrower obligations hereunder are direct obligations of payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged until the Termination Date.

(b) It is agreed among each Borrower, the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders that the provisions of this Section 2.25 are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such provisions, the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders would decline to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit. Each Borrower acknowledges that its obligations pursuant to this Section are necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business, and can be expected to benefit such business.

(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement (including any provisions of this Section 2.25 to the contrary) shall limit the liability of (i) any Borrower to pay Loans made directly or indirectly to that Borrower (including Loans advanced to any other Borrower and then re-loaned or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower), LC Exposure and all accrued interest, fees, expenses and other related Obligations with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all purposes hereunder, or (ii) the Company in respect of all of the Obligations under the Loan Documents. The Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their discretion, to condition Loans and Letters of Credit upon a separate calculation of borrowing availability for each Borrower and to restrict the disbursement and use of such Loans and Letters of Credit to such Borrower.

(d) Each Borrower has requested that the Agent and the Lenders make this credit facility available to the Borrowers on a combined basis, in order to finance the Borrowers’ business most efficiently and economically. The Borrowers’ business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and the Borrowers believe that consolidation of their credit facility will enhance the borrowing power of each Borrower and ease the administration of their relationship with the Lenders, all to the mutual advantage of the Borrowers. The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the Agent’s and the Lenders’ willingness to extend credit to the Borrowers and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis, as set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to the Borrowers and at the Borrowers’ request.

(e) In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, Federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Borrower under this Section 2.25 or under this Agreement would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of such Borrower’s liability under this Section 2.25 or under this Agreement, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.25 to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Borrowers or the Lenders, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding (such highest amount determined hereunder being the relevant Borrower’s maximum liability (“Borrower’s Maximum Liability”). This Section 2.25(e) with respect to the Borrower’s Maximum Liability of each Borrower is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Lenders to the maximum extent not subject to avoidance under applicable law, and no Borrower nor any other Person or entity shall have any right or claim under this Section with respect to such Borrower’s Maximum Liability, except to the extent necessary so that the obligations of any Borrower hereunder

 

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shall not be rendered voidable under applicable law. Each Borrower agrees that the Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Borrower’s Maximum Liability of each Borrower without impairing this Section 2.25 or this Agreement, or affecting the rights and remedies of the Lenders hereunder, provided that nothing in this sentence shall be construed to increase any Borrower’s obligations hereunder beyond its Borrower’s Maximum Liability.

(f) In the event any Borrower (a “Paying Borrower”) shall make any payment or payments under this Section 2.25 or shall suffer any loss as a result of any realization upon any collateral granted by it to secure its obligations under this Agreement, each other Borrower (each a “Non-Paying Borrower”) shall contribute to such Paying Borrower an amount equal to such Non-Paying Borrower’s “Borrower Percentage” of such payment or payments made, or losses suffered, by such Paying Borrower. For purposes of this Section 2.25, each Non-Paying Borrower’s “Borrower Percentage” with respect to any such payment or loss by a Paying Borrower shall be determined as of the date on which such payment or loss was made by reference to the ratio of (i) such Non-Paying Borrower’s Maximum Liability as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder) or, if such Non-Paying Borrower’s Maximum Liability has not been determined, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Non-Paying Borrower from any other Borrower after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means) to (ii) the aggregate Borrower’s Maximum Liability of all Borrowers hereunder (including such Paying Borrower) as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder), or to the extent that a Borrower’s Maximum Liability has not been determined for any Borrower, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Borrowers from any other Borrower after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means). Nothing in this provision shall affect any Borrower’s several liability for the entire amount of the Obligations (up to such Borrower’s Maximum Liability). Each of the Borrowers covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution under this Section 2.25 from a Non-Paying Borrower shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Obligations until the Termination Date. This provision is for the benefit of all of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the Loan Guarantors and may be enforced by any one, or more, or all of them in accordance with the terms hereof.

SECTION 2.26 Loan Account; Statement of Obligations. (a) The Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual and customary practices an account or accounts (“Loan Account”) evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers resulting from each Revolving Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit from time to time and all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including accrued interest, fees and expenses. Any failure of the Agent to record anything in the Loan Account, or any error in doing so, shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amount owing hereunder. The Agent may maintain a single Loan Account in the name of the Borrower Agent, and each Borrower confirms that such arrangement shall have no effect on the joint and several character of its liability for the Obligations. In the absence of manifest error, entries made in the Loan Account shall constitute presumptive evidence of the information contained therein.

(b) The Borrowers hereby authorize the Agent, from time to time without prior notice to the Borrowers, to charge to the Loan Account all interest and all fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, all costs and expenses payable by any Loan Party hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, all fees and costs provided for in Section 2.12, and all other payments due and payable under any Loan Document, which amounts so charged shall thereafter constitute Revolving Loans hereunder which shall accrue interest at the rate then

 

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applicable to Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans (unless and until converted into LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms hereof); provided that the Agent shall not be authorized to charge any such amount to the Loan Account unless the same shall not have been paid by any Loan Party when payment of such amount has otherwise become due and payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document. Any interest not paid by any Loan Party within two Business Days after such payment of such amount has otherwise become due and payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be compounded by being charged to the Loan Account and shall thereafter constitute Loans hereunder and shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Loans that are ABR Loans (unless and until converted into LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms hereof).

SECTION 2.27 Extensions of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments. (a) The Borrower Agent may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Revolving Commitments (including any previously extended Revolving Commitments) existing at the time of such request (each, an “Existing Revolving Commitment” and any related revolving loans under any such facility, “Existing Revolving Loans”) be exchanged to extend the termination date thereof and the scheduled maturity date(s) of any payment of principal with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of Existing Revolving Loans related to such Existing Revolving Commitments (any such Existing Revolving Commitments which have been so extended, “Extended Revolving Commitments” and any related Revolving Loans, “Extended Revolving Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.27. Prior to entering into any Extension Agreement with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitments, the Borrower Agent shall provide a notice to the Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders of the applicable Class of Existing Revolving Commitments) (a “Revolving Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Revolving Commitments to be established thereunder, which terms shall be identical to those applicable to the Existing Revolving Commitments from which they are to be extended (the “Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class”) except (x) all or any of the final maturity dates of such Extended Revolving Commitments may be delayed to later dates than the final maturity dates of the Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class, (y) the all-in pricing (including, without limitation, margins, fees and premiums) with respect to the Extended Revolving Commitments may be higher or lower than the all-in pricing (including, without limitation, margins, fees and premiums) for the Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class and (z) the commitment fee rate with respect to the Extended Revolving Commitments may be higher or lower than the commitment fee rate for Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment, in each case, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.27 or otherwise, (1) the borrowing and repayment (other than in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments) of the Extended Revolving Loans under any Extended Revolving Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis with any borrowings and repayments of the Existing Revolving Loans (the mechanics for which may be implemented through the applicable Extension Agreement and may include technical changes related to the borrowing and repayment procedures of this Agreement), (2) assignments and participations of Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended Revolving Loans shall be governed by the assignment and participation provisions set forth in Section 9.04 and (3)(I) in the case of Section 2.09, no permanent repayment of Extended Revolving Loans (and corresponding permanent reduction in the related Extended Revolving Commitments) shall be permitted unless all Existing Revolving Loans and all Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class, shall have been repaid in full and terminated, respectively and (II) in all other cases, no termination of Extended Revolving Commitments and no repayment of Extended Revolving Loans accompanied by a corresponding permanent reduction in

 

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Extended Revolving Commitments shall be permitted unless such termination or repayment (and corresponding reduction) is accompanied by at least a pro rata termination or permanent repayment (and corresponding pro rata permanent reduction), as applicable, of the Existing Revolving Loans and Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class (or all Existing Revolving Commitments of such Class and related Existing Revolving Loans shall have otherwise been terminated and repaid in full). Any Extended Revolving Commitments of any Extension Series shall constitute a separate Class of Revolving Commitments from Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class and from any other Existing Revolving Commitments (together with any other Extended Revolving Commitments so established on such date).

(b) The Borrower Agent shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Class are requested to respond. Any Lender (an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments (or any earlier Extended Revolving Commitments) of an Existing Class subject to such Extension Request exchanged into Extended Loans/Commitments shall notify the Agent (an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Revolving Commitments (and/or any earlier Extended Revolving Commitments) which it has elected to convert into Extended Loans/Commitments, but in no event shall any Lender be required to become an Extending Lender. In the event that the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments (and any earlier Extended Revolving Commitments) subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of Extended Loans/Commitments requested pursuant to the Extension Request, Revolving Commitments (and any earlier Extended Revolving Commitments) subject to Extension Elections shall be exchanged to Extended Loans/Commitments on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Revolving Commitments (and any earlier Extended Revolving Commitments) included in each such Extension Election. Notwithstanding the conversion of any Existing Revolving Commitment into an Extended Revolving Commitment, such Extended Revolving Commitment shall be treated identically to all Existing Revolving Commitments of the Specified Existing Revolving Commitment Class for purposes of the obligations of a Revolving Lender in respect of Swingline Loans under Section 2.05 and Letters of Credit under Section 2.06, except that the applicable Extension Agreement may provide that the last day for making Swingline Loans and/or the last day for issuing Letters of Credit may be extended and the related obligations to make Swingline Loans and issue Letters of Credit may be continued (pursuant to mechanics set forth in the applicable Extension Agreement) so long as the Swingline Lender and/or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, have consented to such extensions (it being understood that no consent of any other Lender shall be required in connection with any such extension).

(c) Extended Loans/Commitments shall be established pursuant to an amendment (an “Extension Agreement”) to this Agreement (which, except to the extent expressly contemplated by the penultimate sentence of this Section 2.27(c) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 9.02, shall not require the consent of any Lender other than the Extending Lenders with respect to the Extended Loans/Commitments established thereby) executed by the Borrower Agent, the Agent and the Extending Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.27 and without limiting the generality or applicability of Section 9.02 to any Section 2.27 Additional Agreements, any Extension Agreement may provide for additional terms and/or additional amendments other than those referred to or contemplated above (any such additional amendment, a “Section 2.27 Additional Agreement”) to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such Section 2.27 Additional Agreements do not become effective prior to the time that such Section 2.27 Additional Agreements have been consented to (including, without

 

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limitation, pursuant to consents applicable to holders of any Extended Loans/Commitments provided for in any Extension Agreement) by such of the Lenders, Loan Parties and other parties (if any) as may be required in order for such Section 2.27 Additional Agreements to become effective in accordance with Section 9.02. It is understood and agreed that each Lender has consented, and shall at the effective time thereof be deemed to consent to each amendment to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents authorized by this Section 2.27 and the arrangements described above in connection therewith except that the foregoing shall not constitute a consent on behalf of any Lender to the terms of any Section 2.27 Additional Agreement. In connection with any Extension Agreement, the Borrower Agent shall deliver an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Agent (i) as to the enforceability of such Extension Agreement, this Agreement as amended thereby, and such of the other Loan Documents (if any) as may be amended thereby (in the case of such other Loan Documents as contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence), (ii) to the effect that such Extension Agreement, including without limitation, the Extended Loans/Commitments provided for therein, does not conflict with or violate the terms and provisions of Section 9.02 of this Agreement and (iii) as to any other matter reasonably requested by the Agent.

SECTION 2.28 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the Available Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b) the Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, all affected Lenders, the Required Lenders or the Supermajority Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.02); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

(c) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the lesser of the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments and the Borrowing Base and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at such time; and

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall within three (3) Business Days following notice by the Agent (x) first, prepay the Swingline Exposure of such Defaulting Lender and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

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(iii) if the Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.28(c), the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.28(c), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; or

(v) if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.28(c), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the applicable Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated;

(d) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.28(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.28(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

(e) in the event and on the date that each of the Agent, the Borrower Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the other Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Loan Parties of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans and the other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance

 

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of Letters of Credit hereunder are, to the extent applicable, within each applicable Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational and, if required, equityholder action of such Loan Party. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Loan Parties of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans and the other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, and (ii) for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents and the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents; except, in each case other than with respect to the creation of Liens, to the extent that any such violation, default or right, or any failure to obtain such consent or approval or to take any such action, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of April 3, 2010 (including any notes thereto) (the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet” and such date, the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet Date”), copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) to the consummation of the Transactions. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable as of the date thereof, and presents fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the Pro Forma Balance Sheet Date, assuming that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date.

(b) The audited consolidated balance sheets of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 29, 2007, January 3, 2009, and January 2, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and the consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal years ended as of such dates. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of April 3, 2010 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the three-month period ended on such date, and the corresponding statements of income and cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates (subject to the absence of footnotes and normal year end adjustments) and the consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows of Holdings and its consolidated

 

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Subsidiaries for the three-month period ended as of such dates (subject to the absence of footnotes and normal year end adjustments). All such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein). No Loan Party has any material liabilities or material obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and whether due or to become due, other than liabilities or obligations provided for in the financial statements referred to in this paragraph, liabilities or obligations arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or liabilities which would not be required to be disclosed in an audited balance sheet (or in the notes thereto) that is prepared in accordance with GAAP.

(c) No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since the Effective Date.

SECTION 3.05 Properties. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries has good and insurable fee simple title to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all its real properties (including all Mortgaged Properties) and has good and marketable title to its personal property and assets, in each case, except for defects in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes and except where the failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens (i) permitted by Section 6.02 or (ii) arising by operation of law (which Liens, in the case of this clause (ii) do not materially interfere with the ability of Holdings, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary to carry on its business as now conducted or to utilize the affected properties or assets for their intended purposes).

SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against or affecting the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any Loan Documents.

(b) Except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (i) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability and (ii) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (1) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law or (2) has become subject to any Environmental Liability.

SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws, No Default. Each Loan Party is in compliance with all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to be so in compliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status. No Loan Party is an “investment company” as defined in, or is required to be registered under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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SECTION 3.09 Taxes. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.10 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred in the five year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made and is continuing or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under all Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plans, in the aggregate.

SECTION 3.11 Disclosure. (a) All written information (other than the Projections, the pro forma financial statements and estimates and information of a general economic or general industry nature) concerning Holdings, the Company, the Subsidiaries, the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated hereby prepared by or on behalf of the foregoing or their representatives and made available to any Lender or the Agent in connection with the Transactions on or before the date hereof (the “Information”), when taken as a whole, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Lenders and as of the Effective Date, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made (giving effect to all supplements and updates).

(b) The Projections, pro forma financial statements and estimates prepared by or on behalf of the Company or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lender or the Agent in connection with the Transactions on or before the date hereof (the “Other Information”) (i) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable as of the date thereof (it being recognized that such Other Information is as to future events and is not to be viewed as a fact, the Other Information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Holdings, the Company and the Subsidiaries, that no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Other Information may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material), and (ii) as of the Effective Date, have not been modified in any material respect by the Company.

SECTION 3.12 Solvency. As of the Effective Date, and immediately after giving effect to the Merger and the consummation of the other Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise,

 

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as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Effective Date.

SECTION 3.13 Insurance. All insurance required by Section 5.10 is in full force and effect and all premiums in respect of such insurance have been duly paid. The Company believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries is adequate and is in accordance with normal industry practice.

SECTION 3.14 Capitalization and Subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, Schedule 3.14 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Company of each and all of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each of the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s authorized Equity Interests, of which all of such issued shares are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.14, and (c) the type of entity of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02). As of the Effective Date, there are no outstanding purchase options, warrants, subscription rights, agreements to issue or sell, convertible interests or powers of attorney granted by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company relating to Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.15 Security Interest in Collateral. The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create legal and valid Liens on the applicable Collateral described in each therein in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties (to the extent such matter is governed by the law of the United States or a jurisdiction therein); and upon the taking of all actions described in the Loan Documents (but subject to the limitations set forth therein), including, without limitation, the filing of UCC financing statements covering the appropriate Collateral in the state of organization of each applicable Loan Party and the filings of short form agreements in respect of registered and applied for United States federal intellectual property owned by each Loan Party, such Liens will constitute perfected Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of (a) Permitted Encumbrances and other Liens permitted under Section 6.02, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances or such Liens would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Agent pursuant to any applicable law or otherwise, (b) Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title) to the extent the Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral and (c) subject to and as provided for under the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Liens granted to the Noteholder Collateral Agent under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents.

SECTION 3.16 Labor Disputes. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, (b) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and the

 

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Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters and (c) all payments due from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Loan Party or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect the consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which Holdings, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound.

SECTION 3.17 Federal Reserve Regulations. (a) On the Effective Date, none of the Collateral is Margin Stock.

(b) None of Holdings, the Company and the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

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

SECTION 3.18 Senior Indebtedness. The obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents (a) for principal (including reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit whether or not drawn), interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any insolvency or liquidation proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable agreement), premium (if any), fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the Loan Documents constitute “Senior Indebtedness” under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents, and (b) for unpaid principal (including reimbursement obligations with respect to drawn Letters of Credit) and accrued interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any insolvency or liquidation proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable agreement) constitute “Designated Senior Indebtedness” under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents. The Secured Obligations constitute “ABL Debt Obligations” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 3.19 Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party owns or has the lawful right to use all material intellectual property used in the conduct of its business, without conflict with any intellectual property rights of others, except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no pending or, to any Borrower’s knowledge, threatened claim that any Loan Party’s ownership, use, marketing, sale or distribution of any Inventory or other product violates another Person’s intellectual property rights.

SECTION 3.20 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used (a) to pay a portion of the Merger Funds, including, to pay a portion of the amount needed for the redemption, defeasance and/or tender of the Existing Notes, and (b) for capital expenditures, working capital needs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes.

 

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SECTION 3.21 Anti-Terrorism Laws. Each Loan Party is in compliance in all material respects with all Anti-Terrorism Laws applicable to it or its property.

ARTICLE IV.

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) Credit Agreement and Loan Documents. The Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (which may include facsimile or email transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, and (ii) duly executed copies of the other Loan Documents.

(b) Legal Opinions. The Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders on the Effective Date, a favorable written opinion of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for Holdings and the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and (ii) local or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agent as specified on Schedule 4.01(b), in each case (A) dated the Effective Date, (B) addressed to the Agent and the Lenders and (C) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and covering such other matters relating to the Loan Documents as the Agent shall reasonably request.

(c) Financial Statements and Projections. The Agent shall have received (i) the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, (ii) the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(b) and (iii) pro forma forecasts prepared by management of Holdings, giving effect to the Transactions, of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements on a monthly basis for the first year following the Effective Date and on an annual basis commencing with the 2010 fiscal year through the end of the 2014 fiscal year.

(d) Closing Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the Financial Officers and any other officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization.

 

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(e) Specified Representations Certificate. The Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, dated the Effective Date stating that the Specified Representations are true and correct as of such date.

(f) Fees. The Lenders, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid on the Effective Date, and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid on the Effective Date and for which invoices have been presented to the Company at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date (including the reasonable documented fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Effective Date.

(g) Lien and Judgment Searches. The Agent shall have received the results of recent lien and judgment searches in each of the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate, and such search shall reveal no material judgments and no liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for liens permitted by Section 6.02 or Liens discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(h) Intercreditor Agreement. The Agent, the Noteholder Collateral Agent (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and the Loan Parties shall have executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement.

(i) Funding Account. The Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the deposit account of the Borrower Agent (the “Funding Account”) to which the Agent is authorized by the Borrowers to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

(j) Solvency. The Agent shall have received a customary certificate from the chief financial officer of the Company certifying that the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, are solvent (within the meaning of Section 3.12).

(k) Borrowing Base Certificate. The Agent shall have received prior to the Effective Date a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Borrowing Base as of the last Business Day of the most recent fiscal month ended at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(l) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The Agent (or its bailee) shall have received (i) the certificates representing the shares of Equity Interests required to be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) required to be pledged to the Agent (or its bailee) pursuant to the Security Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.

 

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(m) Perfection Certificate; Filings, Registrations and Recordings. The Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, together with all attachments contemplated thereby. Each document (including any UCC financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Lenders and other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation; provided that, to the extent any security interest in any Collateral cannot be provided and/or perfected on the Effective Date (other than the pledge and perfection of the security interests (i) in the Equity Interests of the Company and its Domestic Subsidiaries and (ii) in other assets with respect to which a lien may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC) after your use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then the provision and/or perfection of a security interest in such Collateral shall not constitute a condition under this Section 4.01, but instead shall be required to be delivered after the Effective Date pursuant to arrangements and timing to be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Company acting reasonably (and in any event within 90 days after the Effective Date or such longer period as may be reasonably agreed by the Agent).

(n) Material Adverse Effect. (i) Except as set forth in Section 3.6 of the disclosure schedules to the Acquisition Agreement, since January 2, 2010 through the date of the Acquisition Agreement, there has not been any event, circumstance, development, condition, occurrence, state of facts, change or effect which, individually or in the aggregate, has had a “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) and (ii) since the date of the Acquisition Agreement, no events, circumstances, developments, conditions, occurrences, state of facts, changes or effects shall have occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(o) Transactions. (i) The Merger shall have been consummated, or substantially simultaneously with the Effective Date, shall be consummated, in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, without giving effect to any modifications, amendments, consents or waivers by TopCo or Merger Sub that are material and adverse to the Lenders or the Agent as reasonably determined by the Agent (it being understood that any modification, amendment, consent or waiver to the definitions of “Company Material Adverse Effect”, “Outside Date” or “Marketing Period” contained in the Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed to be material and adverse to the Lenders and the Agent), without the prior consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (ii) the Equity Contribution shall have been made in at least the amount set forth in the recitals to this Agreement, (iii) concurrently with the consummation of the Merger, the Refinancing shall have been consummated and (iv) the Company shall have received, or substantially simultaneously with the Effective Date, shall receive (i) no more than $200,000,000 in aggregate gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes on the terms set forth in the Senior Subordinated Notes

 

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Documentation and (ii) no more than $250,000,000 in aggregate gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes on the terms set forth in the Senior Secured Notes Documentation.

(p) Insurance. The Agent shall have received endorsements naming the Agent (together with the Trustee, as applicable) as an additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

(q) PATRIOT Act. The Agent shall have received on or prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information about the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties as had been reasonably requested in writing at least 7 days prior to the Effective Date by the Agent that it reasonably determines is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the PATRIOT Act.

The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Revolving Lender to make a Revolving Loan on the occasion of any Revolving Borrowing, and of any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The Agent shall have received, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or a Borrowing Request shall have been deemed given in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.06(b) or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing, the Swingline Lender and the Agent shall have received a Swingline Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.05(a).

(b) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date); provided that on the Effective Date, only the Specified Representations shall be required to be made.

(c) After the Effective Date, at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c).

ARTICLE V.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Termination Date, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information. The Company will furnish to the Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):

(a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (or, solely with respect to the first fiscal year ending after the Effective Date, as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days), its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (whose opinion shall not be qualified as to scope of audit or as to the status of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as a going concern) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

(b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company (or, solely with respect to the first three of such fiscal quarters ending after the Effective Date, as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c) within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the first two fiscal months of each fiscal quarter of the Company (or, solely with respect to the first eight of such fiscal months ending after the Effective Date, as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of earnings and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal month and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the corresponding period or periods of the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

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(d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a), (b) or (c) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company in substantially the form of Exhibit C (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred and, if an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (a) or (b), reasonably detailed calculations of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (whether or not a Trigger Event then exists) as of the end of the period to which such financial statements relate, (iii) describing in reasonable detail such information with respect to Permitted Acquisitions consummated during the preceding fiscal quarter as the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may reasonably require, to the extent such information has not previously been supplied to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent hereunder, (iv) certifying as to the calculations and basis, in reasonable detail, of any cost savings added back to EBITDA pursuant to the provisions of clause (a)(xiii) of the definition thereof), and (v) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (a), a list of names of all Immaterial Subsidiaries (if any) and Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any), that each Subsidiary set forth on such list individually qualifies as an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary, as applicable, and that all Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Immaterial Subsidiaries in the aggregate comprise less than 10% of Total Assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries at the end of the period to which such financial statements relate and represented (on a contribution basis) less than 10% of EBITDA for the period to which such financial statements relate;

(e) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Event of Default under Section 6.12 (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

(f) concurrently with any delivery of consolidated financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, the related unaudited consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(g) within ninety (90) days (or, solely with respect to the first fiscal year ending after the Effective Date, 120 days) after the beginning of each fiscal year, a detailed consolidated budget of the Company and its Subsidiaries by month for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of projected cash flows and projected income of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for each quarter of such fiscal year);

(h) as soon as available but in any event on or prior to the 20th day of each fiscal month, a Borrowing Base Certificate as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal month, together with such supporting information in connection therewith as the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may reasonably request, and which may include, without limitation, Inventory reports by category and location, together with a reconciliation to the corresponding Borrowing Base Certificate, deliver to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent a reasonably detailed calculation of Eligible Tire Inventory, Eligible Non-Tire Inventory, Eligible Receivables and the Value of Inventory; provided that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Liquidity Event, the Company shall deliver a

 

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Borrowing Base Certificate and such supporting information on Wednesday of each week (or if Wednesday is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Saturday (or, at any time that an Event of Default exists, more frequently as may be requested by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent);

(i) at the Agent’s request, concurrently with the delivery of the Borrowing Base Certificate, deliver to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent a schedule of Inventory as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding month or week, as applicable, of the Borrowers, itemizing and describing the kind, type and quantity of Inventory, the applicable Borrower’s Cost thereof and the location thereof.

(j) at the Agent’s request, concurrently with the delivery of the Borrowing Base Certificate, thereafter deliver to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent a schedule of Receivables which (i) shall be as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding month or week, as applicable, (ii) shall be reconciled to the Borrowing Base Certificate as of such last Business Day, and (iii) shall set forth a detailed aged trial balance of all of the Borrowers’ then existing Receivables, specifying the names, balance due and, if an Event of Default then exists, the addresses, for each Account Debtor obligated on any Receivable so listed.

(k) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials publicly filed by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or, after an initial public offering of shares of capital stock of Holdings or the Company, distributed by Holdings or the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(l) not later than any date on which financial statements are delivered with respect to any period in which a Pro Forma Adjustment is made, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the amount of such Pro Forma Adjustment and, in reasonable detail, the calculations and basis therefor;

(m) promptly following the Agent’s request therefor, all documentation and other information that the Agent reasonably requests on its behalf or on behalf of any Lender in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act; and

(n) as promptly as reasonably practicable from time to time following the Agent’s request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Agent (on behalf of any Lender) may reasonably request.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Company and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) or (B) the Company’s or Holdings’ (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), as applicable, Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A) and (B), (i) to the extent such information relates to Holdings (or a parent thereof), such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between

 

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the information relating to Holdings (or such parent), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under clause (a) of this Section 5.01, such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be qualified as to the scope of audit or as to the status of Holdings (or such parent) and its consolidated subsidiaries as a going concern.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b) or (j) of this Section 5.01 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 Company’s website on the Internet at the website address provided to the Agent from time to time in writing; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Company’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent); provided that: (i) upon written request by the Agent, the Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Agent and (ii) the Company shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Company shall be required to provide paper copies of the compliance certificates required by clause (d) of this Section 5.01 to the Agent.

SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events. The Company will furnish to the Agent written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of Holdings or the Company obtains knowledge thereof:

(a) the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of, or any written threat or notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination is reasonably probable and which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) any loss, damage or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $20,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;

(d) any default notice received by a Responsible Officer of the Company with respect to any leased location or public warehouse that contains Inventory in the amount of $25,000,000 or more; or

(e) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred and are continuing, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Each notice delivered under this Section 5.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, intellectual property rights, licenses and permits (except as such would otherwise reasonably expire, be abandoned, disposed or permitted to lapse in the ordinary course of business), necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except (i) other than with respect to Holdings’ or the Company’s existence, to the extent such failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 6.03.

SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all material Tax liabilities, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and where such Loan Party or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to (a) at all times maintain and preserve all material property necessary to the normal conduct of its business in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or condemnation excepted and (b) make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto as necessary in accordance with prudent industry practice in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights; Appraisals; Field Examinations. (a) Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (i) keep proper books of record and account in accordance with GAAP in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (ii) permit any representatives designated by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent (including employees of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent or any consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent), upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, including non-privileged environmental assessment reports and Phase I or Phase II studies in the possession and control of the Company, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and with representatives of the Company present, but not more than two per fiscal year (or, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, as often as reasonably requested).

(b) At reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice (except when an Event of Default exists) that the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent requests,

 

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independently of or in connection with the visits and inspections provided for in clause (a) above, (i) the Borrowers will grant access to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent (including employees of the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent or any consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent) to such Person’s books, records, accounts and Inventory so that the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent or an appraiser retained by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may conduct an Inventory appraisal and (ii) the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may conduct (or engage third parties to conduct) such field examinations, verifications and evaluations as the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may deem necessary or appropriate; provided that (i) the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent may, together, conduct no more than one such appraisal and one such field examination in any period of 12 consecutive months following the date upon which Excess Availability is equal to or greater than 50% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (2) the Borrowing Base, (ii) the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent may, together, conduct no more than two such appraisals and two such field examinations in any period of 12 consecutive months following the date upon which Excess Availability is for five (5) consecutive Business Days equal to or greater than 15%, but less than 50% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (2) the Borrowing Base, (iii) the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent may, together, conduct up to three (3) such appraisals and three such field examinations in any period of 12 consecutive months following any date upon which Excess Availability is for five (5) consecutive Business Days less than 15% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (2) the Borrowing Base, and (iv) the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent may conduct as many appraisals and field examinations as it may request during the existence and continuance of an Event of Default. All such appraisals, field examinations and other verifications and evaluations shall be at the sole expense of the Borrowers; provided that the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent shall provide the Company with a reasonably detailed accounting of all such expenses.

(c) The Loan Parties acknowledge that the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets for internal use by the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lenders, subject to the provisions of Section 9.12 hereof.

SECTION 5.07 Reserved.

SECTION 5.08 Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply in all material respects with (a) all Anti-Terrorism Laws and (b) all other Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property, except in the case of Requirements of Law described in clause (b) where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.09 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans will be used to pay a portion of the Merger Funds (including to pay a portion of the amount needed for the redemption, defeasance and/or tender of the Existing Notes), and for capital expenditures, and for working capital needs and general corporate purposes. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would entail a violation of Regulations T, U or X.

SECTION 5.10 Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (a) insurance in such amounts and against such risks, as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (after giving

 

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effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated companies) and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents (and shall cause (i) the Agent to be listed as a loss payee (together with any other loss payee in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement) on property and casualty policies covering loss or damage to Collateral and (ii) the Agent and the other Secured Parties to be listed as additional insureds on liability policies). The Company will furnish to the Agent, upon request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

SECTION 5.11 Additional Loan Parties; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances. (a) Subject to applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, each Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party shall cause (i) each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) any Domestic Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary but has ceased to be an Excluded Subsidiary, to become a Loan Party as promptly thereafter as reasonably practicable by executing a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit D hereto (the “Joinder Agreement”). Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties, and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will simultaneously therewith or as soon as practicable thereafter grant Liens to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders in any property (subject to the limitations with respect to Equity Interests set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.11, the limitations with respect to real property set forth in paragraph (f) of this Section 5.11, applicable law and any other limitations set forth in the Security Agreement, and excluding property with respect to which the Agent and the Borrower Agent have reasonably determined that the cost of granting Loans in such property is excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded by such property) of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral, on such terms as may be required pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents and in such priority as may be required pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. Subject to the approval of the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent, any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party may be a Borrower hereunder, subject to (A) execution of a Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Loan Party agrees to be bound as a Borrower hereunder and such other agreements, documents or instruments as the Agent may reasonably request and (B) the completion of a field examination and appraisal with results satisfactory to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent.

(b) (i) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 5.11, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, each Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party will cause the issued and outstanding Equity Interests (other than Excluded Equity Interests) of each Subsidiary directly owned by any Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to be subject at all times to a first priority (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and to other Liens permitted by Section 6.02), perfected Lien in favor of the Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents.

(ii) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 5.11, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, Holdings, each Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party will cause, except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $2,500,000 (individually) that is owing to Holdings, a Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note and pledged and delivered to the Agent (or its non-fiduciary agent or designee) under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

 

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(iii) Each of Holdings, each Borrower and each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party agrees that all Indebtedness of Holdings, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries that is owing to any Loan Party shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, which promissory note shall be required to be pledged and delivered to the Agent (or its non-fiduciary agent or designee) under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.

(c) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Section 5.11, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, and without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable (including the delivery of the Real Property Collateral Requirements), which may be required by law or which the Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all at the expense of the Loan Parties, provided, however, that no Borrower and no other Loan Party shall be required to grant any security interest or take any action to perfect any security interest under the law of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.

(d) Subject to the limitations set forth or referred to in this Section 5.11, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, if any material assets (including any real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) are acquired by any Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien in favor of the Agent upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower Agent will, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, the Borrowers will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take, and cause the Loan Parties that are Subsidiaries to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(e) If, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties because they are Immaterial Subsidiaries comprise in the aggregate more than 10% of Total Assets as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company or more than 10% of EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company, then the Company shall, not later than 45 days after the date by which financial statements for such quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, cause one or more such Subsidiaries to become additional Loan Parties (notwithstanding that such Subsidiaries are, individually, Immaterial Subsidiaries) such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, real property required to be mortgaged under the Loan Documents shall (i) exclude the Miami, Florida and Simi Valley, California real estate and (ii) shall be limited to real property located in the U.S. that is owned in fee by a Loan Party, the cost or book value of which (whichever is greater) at the

 

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time of the acquisition thereof (or, in the case of real property owned on the Effective Date), the cost or book value of which (whichever is greater) on the Effective Date is $2,500,000 or more (provided that the cost of perfecting such Lien is not unreasonable in relation to the benefits to the Lenders of the security afforded thereby in the reasonable determination of the Borrower Agent and the Agent).

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Loan Parties shall not be required to include as Collateral any Excluded Assets (as defined in the Security Agreement).

SECTION 5.12 Designation of Subsidiaries. The board of directors of the Company may at any time after the Effective Date, in accordance with the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary, designate any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Senior Secured Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes and (iii) no Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Subsidiary may be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time after being so designated as a Subsidiary. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an investment by the Company therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the net book value of the Company’s investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

ARTICLE VI.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Termination Date, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01;

(c) Indebtedness of the Company to Holdings or any Subsidiary, Indebtedness of any Subsidiary to the Company, Holdings or any other Subsidiary and Indebtedness of Holdings to the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the Company, Holdings or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party shall only be permitted to the extent permitted as an investment under Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of the Company or Holdings to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall (x) be evidenced by the Intercompany Note or (y) otherwise be outstanding on the Effective Date so long as such Indebtedness is evidenced by an intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit J or otherwise subject to subordination terms substantially identical to the subordination terms set forth in Exhibit J within 60 days of the Effective Date or such later date as the Agent shall reasonably agree, in each case, to the extent permitted by applicable law and not giving rise to material adverse tax consequences;

 

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(d) Guarantees (i) by Holdings and the Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties of the Indebtedness of the Company described in clause (m) hereof, so long as the Guarantee of the Senior Subordinated Notes is subordinated substantially on terms as set forth in the Senior Subordinated Note Documents, (ii) by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party of any Indebtedness of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party expressly permitted to be incurred under this Agreement, (iii) by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent such Guarantees are permitted as an investment under Section 6.04; provided that Guarantees by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party under this clause (d) of any other Indebtedness of a Person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Person shall be expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as the Guarantee of the Senior Subordinated Notes is under the Senior Subordinated Note Documents or as set forth in the Intercompany Note, and (iv) by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party of any real property lease obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a Loan Party;

(e) Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) the proceeds of which are incurred exclusively to finance the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, renovations, replacement, expansion or improvement of any fixed or capital assets or otherwise incurred in respect of Capital Expenditures, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with all other Indebtedness issued or incurred and outstanding under this clause (e), not to exceed the greater of (i) $45,000,000, and (ii) 2.5% of the Total Assets (in each case determined at the date of incurrence);

(f) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.06;

(g) Indebtedness which represents an extension, refinancing, refunding, replacement or renewal of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b), (e), (f), (g), (j), (k), (m), (n), (v), (x) and (y) of this Section 6.01; provided that, (i) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, refunded, replaced or renewed, except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including applicable prepayment penalties) thereon plus fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith, (ii) any Liens securing such Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party, (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, refunding, replacement or renewal does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, refunded, replaced or renewed, (v) if the Indebtedness that is extended, refinanced, refunded, replaced or renewed was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the extension, refinancing, refunding, replacement or renewal Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Lenders as those that were applicable to the extended, refinanced, refunded, replaced or renewed Indebtedness and (vi) with respect to any such extension, refinancing, refunding, replacement or renewal of the Senior Secured Notes, such refinancing Indebtedness, if secured, is secured only by assets of the Loan Parties that constitute Collateral for the

 

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Obligations pursuant to a security agreement subject to the Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and in any event that is no less favorable to the Secured Parties than the Intercreditor Agreement;

(h) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of self-insurance and in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations, or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

(j) Indebtedness of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or is a Subsidiary that survives a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries) after the Effective Date and Indebtedness acquired or assumed in connection with Permitted Acquisitions; provided that

(i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or at the time of such Permitted Acquisition and is not created in contemplation of or in connection therewith, and

(ii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary (other than any such Person that so becomes a Subsidiary or is the survivor of a merger with such Person or any of its Subsidiaries).

(k) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary issued or incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition; provided that

(w) (A) the terms of such Indebtedness do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest Maturity Date, other than customary offers to purchase upon a change of control, asset sale or casualty or condemnation event and customary acceleration rights upon an event of default, (B) such Indebtedness is unsecured and, if the primary obligor of such Indebtedness is not a Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall not be guaranteed in any respect by Holdings, the Company or any other Loan Party except to the extent permitted under Section 6.04 and (C) the covenants, events of default, subsidiary guarantees and other terms for such Indebtedness (provided that such Indebtedness shall have interest rates, fees, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums determined by the Company to be market rates and premiums at the time of issuance of such Indebtedness), taken as a whole, are determined by the

 

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Company to be market terms on the date of issuance and in any event are not more restrictive on Holdings, the Company and its Subsidiaries than the terms of this Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date) and do not require the maintenance or achievement of any financial performance standards other than as a condition to taking specified actions; provided that a certificate of an Responsible Officer of the Company delivered to the Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements unless the Agent notifies the Company within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees);

(x) (A) the Company or such other relevant Loan Party pledges the Equity Interests of any Person acquired in such Permitted Acquisition (the “acquired Person”) to the Agent to the extent required under Section 5.11 and (B) such acquired Person executes a Joinder Agreement to the extent required under Section 5.11;

(y) before and after giving effect to such issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; and

(z) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period prior to the issuance or incurrence of such Indebtedness and the consummation of such acquisition, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, after giving effect to such incurrence or issuance, to such acquisition and to any related Pro Forma Adjustment, as if such incurrence or issuance and acquisition had occurred on the first day of such Test Period, shall be equal to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00.

(l) unsecured Indebtedness in respect of obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that (i) such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money and (ii) unsecured Indebtedness in respect of intercompany obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of accounts payable incurred in connection with goods sold or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

(m) Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to and any Guarantees of (i) the Senior Secured Notes (and any exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for such Senior Secured Notes) in an aggregate principal amount that is not in excess of $250,000,000 and (ii) the Senior Subordinated Note in an aggregate principal amount that is not in excess of $200,000,000;

(n) other Indebtedness not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.01 in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the greater of (A) $50,000,000 and (B) 3.5% of Total Assets at any one time outstanding;

 

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(o) Swap Obligations pursuant to Swap Agreements incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(p) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to future, current or former officers, directors, employees, managers and consultants thereof or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or of the Company (following a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) permitted by Section 6.08;

(q) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnouts or similar obligations, in each case, incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiaries for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (i)) and (ii) the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed the gross proceeds, including the fair market value of non-cash proceeds (the fair market value of such non-cash proceeds being measured at the time such proceeds are received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value), actually received by the Holdings, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(r) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with the Transactions and Permitted Acquisitions or any other investment expressly permitted hereunder;

(s) Indebtedness (i) arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence, (ii) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) Indebtedness in respect of Banking Services provided by banks or other financial institutions to Holdings, the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms on a recourse basis;

(t) Indebtedness consisting of (x) the financing of insurance premiums or (y) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(v) (i) the incurrence of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding, 5.0% of the Foreign Subsidiary Total Assets and (ii) the incurrence of Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company in an amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowing Base of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries; provided that any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (v)(ii) shall only be permitted to be used for working capital purposes of such Foreign Subsidiary or Subsidiaries;

(w) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit;

(x) (i) unsecured Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and (ii) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries so long as at the time of any such incurrence under this clause (ii) and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, Excess Availability is equal to or in excess of the greater than (A) 15% of the lesser of (x) the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base and (B) $30,000,000; and

(y) unsecured Vendor Debt, advances and similar financings in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $50,000,000.

The accrual of interest and the accretion or amortization of original issue discount on Indebtedness and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness originally incurred in accordance with this Section 6.01 will not constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness.

SECTION 6.02 Liens. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) any Lien on any property or asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02 and any replacements, renewals, refinancings, refundings or extensions thereof; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to any other property or asset of Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary other than after acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01 and, in each case the proceeds and products thereof and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals, refinancings, refundings and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except to the extent permitted under Section 6.01(g));

(d) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(e) or (f); provided that (i) such Liens attach concurrently with or within 180 days after the acquisition, repair, replacement, construction, renovation, expansion or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property

 

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except for accessions to such property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and the proceeds and the products thereof and (iii) with respect to Capital Lease Obligations, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions to such assets) other than the assets subject to the applicable capitalized lease; provided that individual financings of property provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of property provided by such lender;

(e) Liens on the Equity Interests in, or other similar Liens resulting from standard joint venture agreements or stockholder agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures;

(f) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(g) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 to be applied against the purchase price for such investment, and (ii) consisting of an agreement to transfer any property in a disposition permitted under Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers and dispositions under Section 6.05(j) which constitute Liens, which sales, transfers and dispositions constituting Liens are not otherwise permitted under Section 6.05), in each case, solely to the extent such investment or disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(h) Liens on property (i) of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (ii) that does not constitute Collateral, which Liens secure Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary permitted under Section 6.01;

(i) Liens in favor of Holdings, the Company or a Subsidiary securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, including Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of the Company or another Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary;

(j) any interest or title of a lessor under leases or secured by a lessor’s interests under leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(k) Liens arising by operation of law under Article 2 of the UCC in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(m) Liens that are rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(n) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(o) Subordinated Vendor Liens;

(p) Liens in respect of the licensing of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, other indications of origin, domain names and other forms of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

(q) Other Liens (other than Liens on Borrowing Base Assets) securing obligations or Indebtedness not in excess of the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 1.25% of total assets, determined at the time of incurrence;

(r) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Liens attach at all times only to the specific assets that such Liens secure on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Loan Party or the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, as the case may be, and not to any Borrowing Base Assets of Borrowers (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof) and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Loan Party or the date of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, as the case may be, and extensions, refinancing, refunding, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except to the extent permitted under Section 6.01(g));

(s) Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 and Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(t) Liens (other than Liens on Borrowing Base Assets) arising out of Sale and Lease-Back transactions permitted by Section 6.06 and any extensions, refinancing, refunding, replacements and renewals thereof;

(u) Liens on goods or inventory the purchase, shipment or storage price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance issued or created for the account of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Company or such Subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent permitted under Section 6.01; and provided, further, that any such goods or inventory and the proceeds thereof, up to the Value of the Lien, shall not be Eligible Inventory or Eligible Receivables under this Agreement;

 

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(v) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements or similar filings made in respect of operating leases;

(w) Liens granted under the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents (or, in the case of other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(n) or 6.01(m)(ii), a separate security agreement or agreements substantially similar in all material respects to the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents) and any extensions, refinancing, renewals, refundings and replacements thereof; provided that (i) such Liens secure only the obligations referred to in the Senior Secured Notes Security Documents or such separate security agreements (and extensions, refinancing, refundings, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except to the extent permitted under Section 6.01(g) or Section 6.01(m)(ii))), (ii) such Liens do not apply to any asset other than Collateral that is subject to a Lien granted under a Collateral Document to secure the Secured Obligations and (iii) all such Liens shall be subject to the terms of, and have the priorities with respect to the Collateral as set forth in, the Intercreditor Agreement (or, in the case of other secured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(n), another intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent that is no less favorable to the Secured Parties than the Intercreditor Agreement);

(x) Liens deemed to exist in connection with investments in repurchase agreements under Section 6.04; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements;

(y) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(z) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(aa) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Effective Date and so long as the Lien of such Person does not attach to any ABL First Lien Collateral or if such Lien attaches to any ABL First Lien Collateral, such Person has entered into a subordination agreement with the Agent in form and satisfactory to the Agent;

 

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(bb) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(cc) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(v);

(dd) (x) Liens securing Secured Swap Obligations and (y) Liens on cash and Permitted Investments securing other Swap Agreements if the aggregate amount of all cash and Permitted Investments subject to Liens permitted by this clause (y) at no time exceeds $15,000,000;

(ee) leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(ff) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute), financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(gg) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted;

(hh) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto and deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(ii) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(jj) Deposits securing obligations owed by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from Banking Services, including treasury, depository and cash management services or any ACH transfers of funds; and

(kk) additional Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01; provided that, (i) on a Pro Forma Basis, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and (ii) to the extent that such Liens are contemplated to be on assets that are Collateral, the holders of such Indebtedness (or a representative thereof of

 

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behalf of such holders) shall have entered into the Intercreditor Agreement or a similar agreement providing that the Liens securing such Indebtedness shall rank junior to the Liens of the Agent (or with the same priority as the Senior Secured Notes) with respect to Collateral.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as Tire Pros Francorp is not a Loan Party, Tire Pros Francorp shall not be permitted to incur Liens on its assets under clauses (h), (g), (w), (cc) and (kk) of this Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes. (a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(i) any Person (including the Company and the Holdings) may merge with or into the Company or the Holdings, as applicable, in a transaction in which the surviving entity is the Company or the Holdings, as applicable, or another Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person (if not the Company or the Holdings, as applicable) expressly assumes, in writing, all the obligations the Company or the Holdings, as applicable, under the Loan Documents, in which event such Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company or the Holdings, as applicable;

(ii) any Person may merge into any Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary and, if any party to such merger is a Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, is or becomes a Subsidiary that is a Loan Party concurrently with such merger;

(iii) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Company, is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders and such liquidation or dissolution is accompanied by a disposition of the assets of such Subsidiary to the Holdings, the Company or any other Subsidiary;

(iv) any Subsidiary may merge with any Person who is not a Loan Party or Subsidiary to effect an investment permitted under Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(m)); provided, however, if such Subsidiary is a Loan Party, the surviving Person of such merger shall be a Loan Party;

(v) so long as the same does not result in the liquidation, dissolution or cessation of existence of the Company or the Holdings, any merger, dissolution or liquidation may be effected for the purposes of effecting a transaction permitted by Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers and dispositions under Section 6.05(j)) that constitute a merger, dissolution or liquidation which is not otherwise permitted under Section 6.05); and

(vi) the Transactions may be consummated.

(b) The Company and each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) carry on and conduct its business in all material respects other

 

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than in substantially the same manner as it is presently conducted or in a manner reasonably related or ancillary thereto or (ii) engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the date of hereof and businesses reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

(c) Holdings will not engage in any business or operations other than (i) the ownership, direct or indirect, of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, (ii) performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents, the Senior Subordinated Note Documents, the Senior Secured Note Documents and the other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) actions incidental to the consummation of the Transactions, (iv) actions required by law to maintain its existence, (v) any public offering of its common stock, any other issuance of its Equity Interests and performance of its obligations under any agreements related thereto, (vi) any transaction Holdings is permitted to enter into in this Article VI and (vii) activities incidental to the foregoing.

SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise), except:

(a) Permitted Investments, Investment Grade Securities and loans and advances in connection with the sale, transfer or disposition of assets other than Collateral;

(b) investments in existence or contemplated on the date of this Agreement and described in Schedule 6.04; and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof (provided that the amount of the original investment is not increased except as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04), and any investments, loans and advances existing on the date hereof by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary in or to Holdings, the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company;

(c) (i) loans and advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses or payroll advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or (ii) to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings, the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings (provided that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Company in cash as common equity) or (iii) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(d) investments (i) in Holdings, the Company or any other Loan Party, (ii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in Holdings, the Company or any other Loan Party, and (iii) by Holdings, the Company or any other Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in an aggregate amount for all such investments under this clause (iii) not to exceed the

 

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sum of $5,000,000 and an amount equal to any repayments, interest, returns, profits, distributions, income and similar amounts actually received in cash in respect of any such Investment (which amount shall not exceed the amount of such investment valued at the fair market value of such investment at the time such Investment was made);

(e) investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business and investments as a result of the foreclosure on any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured investment in default;

(f) investments made to repurchase or retire Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or the Company owned by any employee stock ownership plan or key employee stock ownership plan of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or the Company;

(g) investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.01;

(h) investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or consolidates or merges with Holdings, the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger;

(i) investments and other assets received in connection with the dispositions of assets permitted by Section 6.05;

(j) investments constituting deposits described in Section 6.02;

(k) accounts receivable or notes receivable arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and other credits to suppliers or vendors in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Permitted Acquisitions;

(m) Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, dispositions, Restricted Payments and Restricted Debt Payments permitted under Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 (except to the extent constituting the acquisition of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary or the acquisition by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary of all or substantially all the assets or businesses of a Person or of assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person), 6.05, 6.06 and 6.08, respectively, solely to the extent constituting Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, dispositions, Restricted Payments and Restricted Debt Payments which are permitted under the foregoing Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05, 6.06 and 6.08, respectively, which Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, dispositions, Restricted Payments and Restricted Debt Payments are not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

(n) the Transactions;

 

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(o) investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and UCC Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(p) in exchange for any other investment or investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement or delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business or received upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured investment and investments in satisfaction of judgments against such other Person;

(q) loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings in accordance with Section 6.08(a);

(r) advances of payroll payments in the ordinary course of business to satisfy ordinary course payroll and other obligations of such company;

(s) (i) Investments, purchases and other acquisitions of assets to the extent that payment for such Investments, purchases and other acquisitions of assets is made solely with Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings (or of any direct or indirect parent thereof) or the Company or (ii) Investments, purchases and other acquisitions of assets to the extent the payment for such Investment, purchases and other acquisitions of assets is made with the cash proceeds from the issuance by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or the Company of Qualified Equity Interests or a substantially contemporaneous capital contribution in respect of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings or the Company;

(t) extensions or advances of trade credit, asset purchases (including purchases of Inventory, supplies and materials), the lease of any asset and the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing or other arrangements with other Persons, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(u) guarantees by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary of leases (other than capitalized leases) for which another Loan Party is the lessee or of other obligations of another Loan Party that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(v) other investments, loans and advances; provided that, at the time such investment, loan or advance is made and after giving effect thereto, each of the Payment Conditions is satisfied;

(w) other investments, loans and advances which, together with any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(xii) and Restricted Debt Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(b)(vii), do not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that, at the time such investment, loan or advance is made and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default or Liquidity Event exists or has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(x) any investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;

(y) investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business;

(z) investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contacts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business; and

(aa) investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business.

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 thereof.

In connection with any merger (or other acquisition of the assets) of a Subsidiary that is not a Borrower with and into (or to) a Borrower, or any Permitted Acquisition or other acquisition of assets permitted hereunder, whether by purchase of stock, merger, or purchase of assets and whether in a single transaction or series of related transactions, the Inventory or Receivables so acquired shall not be included in the Borrowing Base (subject to the provisions of the definitions “Borrowing Base,” “Eligible Tire Inventory,” “Eligible Non-Tire Inventory” and “Eligible Receivables” until such time as the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent shall have completed their diligence in respect of such Inventory and Receivables in their Permitted Discretion). In connection with such diligence, the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent may obtain, at the Borrowers’ expense, an appraisal and commercial finance exam with respect to such Receivables and Inventory as they may reasonably deem desirable in their Permitted Discretion and such appraisal and exam shall be paid for by Borrowers and shall not be limited by or included in the number of appraisals and field exams reimbursable under the terms of Section 5.06(b).

SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, except:

(a) sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business, or of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(b) sales, leases, transfers and dispositions to the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09;

(c) sales, leases, transfers and dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;

 

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(d) sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) investments permitted by clauses (a), (h), (i), (j) and (p) of Section 6.04, (ii) investments permitted by clause (b) of Section 6.04 by a Loan Party to another Loan Party and by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party or any Subsidiary and (iii) other investments to the extent required by or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements made in the ordinary course of business between the parties to agreements related thereto;

(e) Sale and Lease-Back transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(f) 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 the Company or any Subsidiary (a “Recovery Event”);

(g) Reserved.

(h) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets that are not otherwise permitted by any other paragraph of this Section; provided that (i) with respect to any such sale, transfer or disposition for a purchase price in excess of $10,000,000, the Company or a Subsidiary shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided that, for purposes of determining what constitutes cash under this clause (i), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Company or such Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable sale, transfer or disposition and for which the Company and all of the Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing and (B) any securities received by the Company or such Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable sale, transfer or disposition, (ii) after giving effect to any such sale, transfer or disposition, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (iii) to the extent applicable, the Net Cash Proceeds thereof are used to prepay the Revolving Loans as required by Section 2.11(c);

(i) sales, leases, transfers and dispositions of 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 promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(j) sales, leases, transfers and dispositions permitted by Sections 6.03 and 6.08 and Liens permitted by Section 6.02;

(k) leases, subleases, space leases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of Holdings, the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(l) sales, leases, transfers and dispositions listed on Schedule 6.05; and

(m) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets not constituting Collateral; provided that (i) after giving effect to any such sale, transfer or disposition, no Event of

 

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Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Net Cash Proceeds of such sale, transfer or disposition are concurrently reinvested by the Company and its Subsidiaries in its business for general working capital purposes.

SECTION 6.06 Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, 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 (a “Sale and Lease-Back Transaction”); provided that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted so long as (a) such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (i) is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such property, (ii) is pursuant to a lease on market terms and (b) the aggregate amount of Attributable Debt for all Sale and Lease-Back Transactions does not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding.

SECTION 6.07 Accounting Changes. The Company will not make any change in method of determining fiscal year and fiscal quarter end dates; provided, however, that the Company may, upon written notice to the Agent, change the financial reporting convention specified above to any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Agent, in which case the Company and the Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary in order to reflect such change in financial reporting.

SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.

(a) Neither Holdings nor the Company will declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) Holdings may make (A) Restricted Payments payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings, (B) Restricted Payments from the Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance by Holdings of Qualified Equity Interests or a substantially contemporaneous capital contributions in respect of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings and (C) Restricted Payments from the proceeds of Restricted Payments permitted under this Section 6.08 that are received from the Company;

(ii) the Company may make Restricted Payments payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests of the Company and may make Restricted Payments from the Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance by the Company of Qualified Equity Interests or a substantially contemporaneous capital contribution in respect of Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;

(iii) the Company may make Restricted Payments to Holdings (and Holdings may make Restricted Payments to any direct or indirect parent thereof) the proceeds of which are used to purchase, repurchase, retire, redeem or otherwise acquire the Equity Interests of Holdings (or of any such direct or indirect parent of Holdings) or of the Company (following a Qualified Public Offering of the Company) (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of Holdings, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other

 

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management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any notes issued by the Holdings, the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings in connection with such purchase, repurchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition), including any Equity Interest rolled over by management of the Holdings, the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings in connection with the Transactions; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause does not exceed $5,000,000 for any fiscal year (which amount shall be increased to $10,000,000 on and after the date of a Qualified Public Offering); provided, further, that each of the amounts in any fiscal year under this clause may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of Holdings, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Effective Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 6.08(a); plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by Holdings, the Company or its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date; less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii);

and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, or consultants of the Company (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), any direct or indirect parent company of the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Agreement;

(iv) non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(v) the Company may make Restricted Payments to Holdings (together with loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(q)) in amounts required for Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings to pay, in each case, without duplication,

(A) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;

 

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(B) foreign, federal, state and local income and similar taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent company;

(C) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to employees, directors, officers and managers of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the Company’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(D) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings not in excess of $2,000,000 in any fiscal year, to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the Company’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company;

(E) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Company related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent company;

(F) amounts payable pursuant to the Management Services Agreements, (including any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company to the Lenders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Services Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date), solely to the extent such amounts are not paid directly by the Company or its Subsidiaries; and

(G) cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of Holdings, the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings.

(vi) Holdings and the Company may make Restricted Payments to consummate the Transactions;

(vii) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, Holdings and the Company may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by any provision of Section 6.03 or 6.09 (other than Section 6.09(e));

(viii) the Company may make Restricted Payments to Holdings to finance any investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than Section 6.04(m));

 

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provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such investment and (B) Holdings shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (i) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) the merger (to the extent permitted in Section 6.03) of the Person formed or acquired into the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to consummate such investment;

(ix) Holdings may make Restricted Payments with the proceeds of the issuance of Indebtedness of Holdings permitted by Section 6.01 (other than (x) Section 6.01(c) and (y) any such Indebtedness Guaranteed by or secured directly or indirectly by the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);

(x) in addition to the foregoing Restricted Payments, Holdings and the Company may make additional Restricted Payments; provided that each of the Payment Conditions is satisfied;

(xi) the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise (and the declaration of such dividend), of shares of capital stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Subsidiary by, any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(xii) other Restricted Payments by Holdings and the Company which, together with investments, loans and advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(w) and Restricted Debt Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(b)(vii), do not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that, at the time such Restricted Payments are made and after giving effect thereto, no Liquidity Event or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing; and

(xiii) to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, Holdings and the Company may make any non-compete, bonus or “earn-out” payments payable to former stockholders of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or the Company pursuant to agreements in effect on the Effective Date; and

(xiv) Holdings and the Company may make Restricted Payments in respect of any payments made or expected to be made by Holdings, the Company or any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) and any repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or required withholding or similar taxes.

(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal on the Senior Secured Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes, any other Subordinated Indebtedness or any Indebtedness that refinances, extends, refunds, replaces or renews any such Indebtedness (collectively, “Restricted Indebtedness”), or any payment or other distribution (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 Restricted Indebtedness (collectively, “Restricted Debt Payments”), except:

(i) extensions, refinancings, refundings, replacements and renewals of any such Restricted Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01;

 

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(ii) payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (other than Borrowing Base Assets) so long as such sale is permitted by Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers and dispositions under Section 6.05(j));

(iii) payment of Restricted Indebtedness in exchange for or with proceeds of any substantially contemporaneous issuance of Qualified Equity Interests or substantially contemporaneous capital contribution in respect of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings or the Company;

(iv) payment of Restricted Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Notes (or any extensions, renewals, refinancing, refundings or replacements thereof permitted under Section 6.01(g) and Section 6.02(w)), with the Net Cash Proceeds of any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Senior Secured Notes First Lien Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), or, in the case of any such extensions, refinancings, refundings, renewals or replacements, any property or assets in respect of which the security interest of the holders thereunder has priority over the security interest of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such property or assets, pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent that is no less favorable to the Secured Parties than the Intercreditor Agreement;

(v) payment of Restricted Indebtedness with the Net Cash Proceeds of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings or the Company;

(vi) other Restricted Debt Payments; provided that each of the Payment Conditions is satisfied (it being understood and agreed that, if an irrevocable notice or contractual obligation is given in, made or arises in respect of any Restricted Debt Payment, the foregoing conditions only need to be satisfied at the time of the giving of such irrevocable notice or entering into (or effectiveness of) any such contractual obligation); and

(vii) other Restricted Debt Payments which, together with any investments, loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(w) and Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(xii), do not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that, at the time such Restricted Debt Payments are made and after giving effect thereto, no Liquidity Event or Event of Default exists or has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that are on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Loan Party as would be obtainable by such Loan Party at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction from unrelated third parties that are not Affiliates, (b) transactions between or among Holdings, the Company and any Subsidiary (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any investment permitted by Section 6.04, (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 or Lien permitted under Section 6.02, (e) any Restricted Payment or Restricted Debt Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) the payment of reasonable fees and out-of-pocket

 

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costs to directors of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Company or any Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (g) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by Holdings’ (or its direct or indirect parent company’s) or the Company’s board of directors, (h) the payment of (A) management or monitoring or similar fees to the Sponsor and Sponsor termination fees and related indemnities and reasonable expenses, and (B) transaction advisory services fees with respect to transactions in respect of which the Sponsor provides any transaction, advisory or other similar services, in each case pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Management Services Agreements as such agreements are in effect as of the Effective Date; provided that, other than in the case of the payment of indemnities and expenses, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to such payment (and during the existence of any such Event of Default, such fees may accrue but may not be paid), (i) any contribution to the capital of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) by the Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof or any purchase of Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) by the Sponsor or any Affiliate thereof, (j) the Transactions, (k) payments by Holdings (and any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the tax sharing agreements among Holdings (and any such parent thereof), the Company and the Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (l) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect and (m) payments by the Company or any Subsidiary to any of the Sponsor for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of Holdings (or such parent) or the Company in good faith.

SECTION 6.10 Restrictive Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other contractual arrangement to which it is a party or by which its property is bound that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law, by any Loan Document, by the Senior Secured Notes Documents, by the Senior Subordinated Notes Agreements or by any Vendor Debt, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions (A) existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 and (B) to the extent any such restrictions or conditions permitted by clause (A) is set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted renewal, extension, refunding, replacement or refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such renewal, extension, refunding, replacement or refinancing does not expand the scope of any such restriction or condition, (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale; provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) the foregoing shall not apply to any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other investment permitted by Section 6.04 in existence at the time of such Permitted Acquisition (but not created in connection therewith or in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the

 

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properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired; (v) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to (A) customary restrictions and provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures to the extent such joint ventures are permitted hereunder, (B) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest or (C) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 6.01 or to any cash or other deposits permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 6.11 Amendment of Material Documents. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) the Senior Note Documents (or any instrument or agreement governing any refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted under Section 6.01), (b) the Senior Subordinated Note Documents or any other agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness, to the extent, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), any such amendment, modification or waiver would be adverse to the Lenders in any material respect, or (c) the Management Services Agreement, to the extent that any such amendment, modification or waiver would increase the amount of any management fees payable thereunder from the amounts set forth in the Management Services Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date.

SECTION 6.12 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Company will not permit its Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Test Period to be lower than 1.00 to 1.00; provided that such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will only be tested as of the last day of the Test Period ending immediately prior to the date on which a Trigger Event shall have occurred and shall continue to be tested as of the last day of each Test Period thereafter until such Trigger Event is no longer continuing.

ARTICLE VII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01 Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

(a) any Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise, or (ii) any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document within five (5) Business Days after it shall become due and payable;

(b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, Borrowing Base Certificate or other certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any Loan Document, shall prove to have been materially incorrect when made or deemed made;

 

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(c) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained (i) in Section 2.21 (solely with respect to post-closing collateral perfection obligations of the Loan Parties and the application of amounts during the continuance of a Liquidity Event), 5.06(b), and 5.09, or in Article VI (subject to the Cure Right in Section 7.02 in connection with any Default under Section 6.12), (ii) in Section 5.01(h) (after a two (2) Business Day grace period), or (iii) in Section 5.02(a) or 5.03 (but only with respect to Holdings’ or the Company’s existence) (provided that if (A) any such Default described in this clause (iii) is of a type that can be cured within five (5) Business Days and (B) such Default could not materially adversely impact the Lender’s Liens on the Collateral, such Default shall not constitute an Event of Default for five (5) Business Days after the occurrence of such Default so long as the Loan Parties are diligently pursuing the cure of such Default);

(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (a) and (c) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof to the Borrower Agent from the Agent or the Required Lenders;

(e) (i) any Loan Party shall fail to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) with respect to any Material Indebtedness, or (ii) any event or condition occurs (other than with respect to Material Indebtedness constituting Derivative Transactions, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of the related Swap Agreements in accordance with the terms thereof and not as a result of any default thereunder by any Loan Party) that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with the giving of notice, if required) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this paragraph (e) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

(f) a Change in Control shall occur;

(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case of clause (i) or (ii), such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed and unstayed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(h) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and

 

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appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (g) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Loan Party or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(i) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts in excess of the threshold amount that constitutes Material Indebtedness as they become due;

(j) one or more final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 (in each case to the extent not covered by third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment and does not deny coverage), shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any combination of Loan Parties and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, satisfied or bonded, or any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued against all or any material part of the property of any Loan Party and is not released, vacated, stayed or bonded within sixty (60) days after its issue;

(k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred and are continuing, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) the Loan Guaranty at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason, other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, shall fail to remain in full force or effect, or any action shall be taken by any Loan Party to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty, or any Loan Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm in writing that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party;

(m) (i) any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents shall for any reason, other than pursuant to the terms hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 6.03 or 6.05), fail to create a valid and perfected security interest with the priority required by the Collateral Documents (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents or to file UCC continuation statements and except as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has been notified and has not denied coverage, or (ii) any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken by any Loan Party to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document;

(n) 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 (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 6.03 or 6.05) or as a result of

 

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the occurrence of the Termination Date, ceases to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party shall challenge in writing the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any Loan Party shall deny in writing that it has any further liability or obligation under any Loan Document (other than as a result of the occurrence of the Termination Date) or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any Loan Document; or

(o) the Obligations referred to in Section 3.18(a) shall cease to constitute senior indebtedness under the subordination provisions of any document or instrument evidencing any permitted Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Indebtedness under the Senior Subordinated Notes as evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Note Documents) or such subordination provision shall be invalidated or otherwise cease, for any reason, to be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the parties thereto;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Loan Party described in clause (g) or (h) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower Agent, take any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Borrower, and (iii) require that the Borrowers deposit in the LC Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to 103% of the then outstanding LC Exposure; provided that upon the occurrence of an event with respect to any Loan Party described in clause (g) or (h) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Borrower, and the obligation of the Borrowers to cash collateralize the outstanding Letters of Credit as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Agent or any Lender.

SECTION 7.02 Cure Right. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VII, in the event that the Company fails to comply with the requirements of Section 6.12, until the expiration of the 10th day subsequent to the date the certificate calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(d), Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) shall have the right to issue Permitted Cure Securities for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to (or in the case of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings receive equity interests in Holdings for its cash contributions to) the capital of Holdings (collectively, the “Cure Right”), and upon contribution by Holdings of such cash in return for common Equity Interests or for existing Equity Interests to the Company (the “Cure Amount”) pursuant to the exercise by the Company of such Cure Right, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under Section 6.12 shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

(i) EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter and any Test Period that contains such fiscal quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under Section 6.12 and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

 

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(ii) if, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustments, the Company shall then be in compliance with Section 6.12, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Section 6.12 as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of Section 6.12 that had occurred shall be deemed cured for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each four fiscal-quarter period there shall be at least two fiscal quarters during which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with Section 6.12 and (iii) all Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining any baskets or ratios with respect to the other covenants contained in the Loan Documents.

SECTION 7.03 Exclusion of Immaterial Subsidiaries. Solely for the purposes of determining whether an Event of Default has occurred under clause (g) or (h) of Section 7.01, any reference in any such paragraph to any Subsidiary shall be deemed not to include any Immaterial Subsidiary affected by any event or circumstance referred to in any such paragraph; provided that if it is necessary to exclude more than one Subsidiary from paragraph (g) or (h) of Section 7.01 pursuant to this Section 7.03 in order to avoid an Event of Default thereunder, all excluded Subsidiaries shall be considered to be a single consolidated Subsidiary for purposes of determining whether the condition specified above is satisfied.

ARTICLE VIII.

THE AGENT

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent (each, an “Appointed Agent”) as its agent and authorizes each Appointed Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to each Appointed Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall have the sole and exclusive authority to (a) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents; (b) execute and deliver as Agent each Loan Document, including any intercreditor or subordination agreement, and accept delivery of each Loan Document from any Loan Party or other Person; (c) act as collateral agent for Secured Parties for purposes of perfecting and administering Liens under the Loan Documents, and for all other purposes stated therein; (d) together with the Co-Collateral Agent, manage, supervise or otherwise deal with Collateral; and (e) take any enforcement action or otherwise exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral under the Loan Documents, applicable law or otherwise. The Appointed Agents alone shall be authorized to determine whether any Accounts or Inventory constitute Eligible Receivables or Eligible Inventory, or whether to impose or release any reserve, which determinations and judgments, if exercised in good faith, shall exonerate each Appointed Agent from liability to any Lender or other Person for any error in judgment.

Any bank serving as an Appointed Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Appointed Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Loan Parties or any subsidiary of a Loan Party or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Agent hereunder.

 

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No Appointed Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) no Appointed Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) no Appointed Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that such Appointed Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, no Appointed Agent shall have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any of its subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as an Appointed Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. No Appointed Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of, or for any losses not directly and solely caused by, its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Appointed Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Appointed Agent by the Borrower Agent or a Lender, and no Appointed Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or the existence of the Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Agent.

If any Lender acquires knowledge of a Default or Event of Default, it shall promptly notify the Agent and the other Lenders thereof in writing. Each Lender agrees that, except as otherwise provided in any Loan Documents or with the written consent of the Agent and the Required Lenders, it will not take any enforcement action, accelerate the Obligations under any Loan Documents, or exercise any right that it might otherwise have under Applicable Law to credit bid at foreclosure sales, UCC sales or other similar dispositions of Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a Lender may take action to preserve or enforce its rights against a Loan Party where a deadline or limitation period is applicable that would, absent such action, bar enforcement of the Obligations held by such Lender, including the filing of proofs of claim in a Bankruptcy Proceeding.

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

Each Appointed Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more agents, co-agents or sub-agents appointed by such Appointed

 

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Agent. Each Appointed Agent and any such agents, co-agents or sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The Lenders shall execute and deliver such documents as any Appointed Agent deems appropriate to vest any rights or remedies in such agents, co-agents or sub-agent. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such agents, co-agents or sub-agent and to the Related Parties of any Appointed Agent and any agents, co-agents or 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 such Appointed Agent.

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor to any Appointed Agent as provided in this paragraph, any Appointed Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower Agent. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Company, to appoint a successor; provided that, during the existence and continuation of an Event of Default, no consent of the Company shall be required. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Appointed Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Appointed Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a commercial bank or an Affiliate of any such commercial bank reasonably acceptable to the Company. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as an Appointed Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Appointed Agent, and the retiring Appointed Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Company to a successor Appointed Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the Appointed Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Appointed 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 it was acting as an Appointed Agent. Any successor to Bank of America, N.A. by merger or acquisition of stock or this loan shall continue to be the Agent hereunder without further act on the part of the parties hereto, unless such successor resigns as provided above.

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

Each Lender hereby agrees that (a) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of any Appointed Agent; (b) no Appointed Agent (i) makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to a Report or (ii) shall be liable for any information contained in any Report; (c) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel and that the Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (d) it will keep all

 

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Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold each Appointed Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by any Appointed Agent or such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender and any action such Lender may take as a result of or any conclusion it may draw from any such Report.

The co-arrangers, joint bookrunners and syndication agent shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such.

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01 Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (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:

if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower Agent at:

American Tire Distributors, Inc.

12200 Herbert Wayne Court, Suite 150

Huntersville, North Carolina 28078

Attention: David Dyckman

Facsimile No.: (704) 992-1451

if to Bank of America, N.A., as the Agent, an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, at:

Bank of America, N.A.

300 Galleria Parkway, Suite 800

Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Attention: American Tire Loan Administration Manager

Facsimile No.: 404-607-3277

if to General Electric Capital Corporation, as the Co-Collateral Agent, at:

General Electric Capital Corporation

350 S. Beverly Dr., Suite 200

Beverly Hills, California 90212

Attention: ATD Account Manager

Facsimile No.: 310-785-0644

 

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if to any other Lender, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

All such notices and other communications (i) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received or (ii) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent and when receipt has been confirmed by telephone, provided 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.

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications (including e-mail and internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II or to compliance and no Event of Default certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(d) unless otherwise agreed by the Agent and the applicable Lender. The Agent or the Borrower Agent (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, 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. All such notices and other communications (i) sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) 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 (b)(i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Agent, an Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent permitted by law, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Agent, any Lender or an Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (i) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or (ii) in the case of any other Loan Document (other than any such amendment to effectuate

 

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any modification thereto expressly contemplated by the terms of such other Loan Documents), pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (A) increase the Commitment of any Lender (including any Defaulting Lender) without the written consent of such Lender; it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Article IV or the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Revolving Commitments, or the making of any Protective Advance, so long as in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.04, shall not constitute an increase of any Revolving Commitment of any Revolving Lender; provided that any change to the second proviso to the second sentence of Section 2.04(a) shall require the written consent of each Revolving Lender, (B) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (including any Defaulting Lender), (C) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the provisions of Section 2.13(c) providing for the default rate of interest, or to waive any obligations of the Borrowers to pay interest at such default rate, (D) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base without the written consent of the Super Majority Lenders, (E) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders”, “Super Majority Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Revolving Lenders (or Revolving Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Revolving Lender, (F) release any all or substantially all of the Loan Guarantors from their obligations under the Loan Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents, including pursuant to Section 6.03, 6.05 or 10.11 hereof), without the written consent of each Lender, (G) except as provided in clause (c) or (d) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender or (H) make any change to the definition of “Borrowing Base”, “Eligible Tire Inventory”, “Eligible Non-Tire Inventory”, “Eligible Receivable” or “Net Orderly Liquidation Value” or “Value” or add any new categories of eligible assets, in each case, that would have the effect of increasing the amount of the Borrowing Base, without the written consent of the Super Majority Lenders; and provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be. The Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that any Commitment or Loan held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded from a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders).

(c) The Lenders hereby irrevocably agree that the Liens granted to the Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral shall be automatically released (i) upon the Termination Date, (ii) upon the sale or other disposition of the property constituting such Collateral (including as part of or in connection with any other sale or other disposition permitted hereunder) to any Person other than another Loan Party, to the extent such sale or other disposition is made in compliance with the

 

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terms of this Agreement (and the Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Loan Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry), (iii) to the extent such Collateral is comprised of property leased to a Loan Party, upon termination or expiration of such lease, (iv) subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 9.02, if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, (v) to the extent the property constituting such Collateral is owned by any Loan Guarantor, upon the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Loan Guaranty in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (vi) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to the Collateral Documents, and (vii) as required pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that the Agent may, in its discretion, release the Lien on Collateral valued in the aggregate not in excess of $5,000,000 during each fiscal year without consent of any Lender. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral to the extent required under the provisions of the Loan Documents.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 9.02, guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by the Agent and may be amended and waived with the consent of the Agent at the request of the Borrower Agent without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lenders if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Revolving Lender”, “each Lender”, “each Revolving Lender directly affected thereby” or “each Lender directly affected thereby”, the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but not obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Company may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Agent shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash at par the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, (ii) the replacement Lender shall pay the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C), if applicable in accordance with the terms of such Section, (iii) the replacement Lender shall grant its consent with respect to the applicable proposed amendment, waiver or consent and (iv) the Borrowers shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrowers hereunder to and including the date of termination, including, without limitation, payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.

 

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SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Company shall pay (i) all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, each of the Joint Bookrunners and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel for the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation of the Loan Documents and related documentation, (ii) all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one firm of outside legal counsel to the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent, in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of any Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby shall be consummated), (iii) all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, Issuing Banks or the Lenders, including the reasonable documented fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Agent, for the Co-Collateral Agent and for one law firm retained by the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or related negotiations in respect of such Loans of Letters of Credit, and (iv) subject to any other provisions of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent in the administration of the Loan Documents. Expenses reimbursable by the Company under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, subject to any other applicable provision of any Loan Document, reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with:

(i) appraisals;

(ii) field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent or (notwithstanding any reference to “out-of-pocket” above in this Section 9.03) the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent with respect to each field examination;

(iii) lien and title searches, title insurance and endorsements to Title Insurance Policies;

(iv) taxes, fees and other charges for recording any Mortgages, filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Agent’s Liens; and

(v) forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.

Other than to the extent required to be paid on the Effective Date, all amounts due under this paragraph (a) shall be payable by the Company within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of an invoice relating thereto and setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail.

 

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(b) Each Borrower shall indemnify the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank 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, penalties, liabilities and related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, expenses (including the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel for all Indemnitees and, if necessary, of a single separate firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for all Indemnitees (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest (as reasonably determined by the Indemnitee affected by such conflict) where such Indemnitee informs the Company of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee) incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) 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 and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses or fees (i) 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, its Affiliates or any of its Related Parties, (ii) result from a material breach of the obligations of any such Indemnitee or one of its Related Parties under the Loan Documents or (iii) disputes brought by and between and among Indemnities (not involving an act or omission of the Borrowers, the Loan Parties or their Affiliates as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision); provided that the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, Issuing Banks and Swingline Lender shall remain indemnified in respect of such disputes to the extent otherwise entitled to be so indemnified.

(c) To the extent that any Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Total Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, penalty, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no party to this Agreement shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any other party hereto or any Related Party thereof, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

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(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be paid, unless otherwise specified, promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns. (a) 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 (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Company may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Company without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section (any attempted assignment or transfer not complying with the terms of this Section 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 (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A) the Company; provided that no consent of the Company shall be required if an Event of Default specified in paragraphs (a), (g) or (h) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing;

(B) the Agent; and

(C) each Issuing Bank.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth herein, any assignment of any Loans or Commitments to any Purchasing Debt Affiliate shall also be subject to the requirements of Section 9.04(f).

(iii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or the principal amount of 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 Agent and determined on an aggregate basis in the event of concurrent assignments to Related Funds (as defined below)) shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Company and the Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Company shall be required if an Event of Default specified in paragraphs (a), (g) or (h) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver on or prior to the effective date of such assignment, (1) to the Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and (2) to the Borrower Agent (with a copy to the Agent) the tax forms required by Sections 2.17(e) and (f).

The term “Related Funds” shall mean with respect to any Lender that is an Approved Fund, any other Approved Fund that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

(iv) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto 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 Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring on or prior to the effective date of such assignment). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 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 paragraph (c) of this Section.

(v) The Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements 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 Agent, the Issuing Banks 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, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower Agent, the Issuing Banks and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(vi) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and tax forms required by Section 9.04(b)(iii)(D)(2) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by

 

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paragraph (b) of this Section, the Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(c) or 9.03(c), the Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vii) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Assumption, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its Commitment, and the outstanding balances of its Loans, in each case without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Assumption, (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto, or the financial condition of any Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or observance by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee, legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a) or delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (v) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent and the Co-Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent or the Co-Collateral Agent, as the case may be, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the Borrower Agent, the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or

 

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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, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Company agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely as a non-fiduciary agent (solely for tax purposes) of the Borrower, shall maintain a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Participants and principal amount (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender, each Loan Party and the Agent shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Company’s prior written consent. No Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section 2.17(e) or (f), as applicable, as though it were a Lender.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Agent and the Borrower Agent, the option to provide to the Borrowers all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof and. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17), (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender) and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes including approval of any amendment,

 

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waiver or other modification of any provision of the Loan Documents, remain the Lender of record hereunder. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrowers, the Borrower Agent and the Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPC to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

(f) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender may assign all or a portion of its Commitments and/or Loans to any Purchasing Debt Affiliate in accordance with Section 9.04(f); provided that:

(i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom; and

(ii) no Loan or Commitment may be assigned to a Purchasing Debt Affiliate pursuant to this Section 9.04(f), if after giving effect to such assignment, Purchasing Debt Affiliates in the aggregate would own in excess of 10% of all Commitments then outstanding.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Purchasing Debt Affiliate shall have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Loan Parties are not invited, and (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among the Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to any Loan Party or its representatives (and in any case, other than the right to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Commitments and Loans required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II), or (C) make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such Agent or any other such Lender under the Loan Documents.

(g) Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.04 or the definitions of “Required Lenders” or Super Majority Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders, the Super Majority Lenders or any other requisite Class vote required by this Agreement have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Agent, Co-Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Commitments held by any Purchasing Debt Affiliate shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Required Lenders, the Super Majority Lenders (or requisite vote of any Class of Lenders) have taken any actions.

 

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SECTION 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, an Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreement with respect to fees payable to the 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 Agent and when the Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07 Severability. To the extent permitted by law, any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Revolving Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Revolving Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor against any of and all the Secured Obligations held by such Revolving Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Revolving Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured. The applicable Revolving Lender shall notify the Borrower Agent and the Agent of such set-off or application, provided that

 

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any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such set-off or application under this Section. The rights of each Revolving Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Revolving Lender may have.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, AT ANY TIME THAT ANY OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE SECURED BY REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA, NO LENDER SHALL EXERCISE A RIGHT OF SETOFF, LENDER’S LIEN OR COUNTERCLAIM OR TAKE ANY COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR INSTITUTE ANY PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LOAN DOCUMENT UNLESS IT IS TAKEN WITH THE CONSENT OF THE LENDERS REQUIRED BY SECTION 9.02 OF THIS AGREEMENT, IF SUCH SETOFF OR ACTION OR PROCEEDING WOULD OR MIGHT (PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 580a, 580b, 580d AND 726 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE OR SECTION 2924 OF THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE, IF APPLICABLE, OR OTHERWISE) AFFECT OR IMPAIR THE VALIDITY, PRIORITY, OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THE LIENS GRANTED TO AGENT PURSUANT TO THE COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS OR THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER, AND ANY ATTEMPTED EXERCISE BY ANY LENDER OR ANY SUCH RIGHT WITHOUT OBTAINING SUCH CONSENT OF THE PARTIES AS REQUIRED ABOVE, SHALL BE NULL AND VOID. THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF EACH OF THE LENDERS.

SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) Each party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or New York State court sitting in New York, New York, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

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

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

 

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SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality. Each of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, each Issuing Bank and the each Lender (the “Subject Persons”) agrees (and each Lender agrees to cause its SPC, if any) to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal, judicial or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process based on the advice of counsel (in which case each Subject Person agrees (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Company promptly thereof prior to disclosure), (b) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Subject Person or any of its Affiliates (in which case such Subject Person agrees (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority) to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Company promptly thereof prior to disclosure), (c) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of improper disclosure by a Subject Person or any of its Affiliates or any Related Parties thereto in violation of this Agreement or any other confidentiality obligations owing to the Company or its Related Parties, (d) to the extent that such information is received by a Subject Person from a third party that is not, to such Subject Person’s knowledge, subject to contractual or fiduciary confidentiality obligations owing to the Company or any of its Related Parties, (e) to the extent that such information is independently developed by such Subject Person, (f) to the Subject Persons’ Affiliates and to its and their respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents who need to know such information in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Transactions (including in connection with protecting or enforcing the Subject Persons’ rights with respect to the Loan Documents) and who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are or have been advised of their obligation to keep information of this type confidential, (g) to potential or prospective Lenders, Participants or Assignees and to any direct or indirect, actual or prospective, contractual counterparty to any Swap Agreement relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case who are instructed that they shall be bound by the terms of this paragraph

 

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(or language substantially similar to this paragraph), (h) to another Subject Person, (i) if the Company provides its prior written consent to the proposed disclosure, or (j) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense; provided that the disclosure of any such information to any Lenders, Participants, Assignees or counterparties or to prospective Lenders, Participants, Assignees or counterparties referred to above shall be made subject to the acknowledgment and acceptance by such persons that such information is being disseminated on a confidential basis (on substantially the terms set forth in this paragraph or as is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Company). For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Loan Party relating to the Loan Parties or their businesses, the Sponsor or the Transactions other than any such information that is available to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party. 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.

SECTION 9.13 Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any Margin Stock for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein and acknowledges that the Collateral shall not include any Margin Stock. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Banks nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to any Borrower in violation of any Requirement of Law.

SECTION 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act. Agent and Lenders hereby notify Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, Agent and Lenders are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, including its legal name, address, tax ID number and other information that will allow Agent and Lenders to indentify it in accordance with the PATRIOT Act. Agent and Lenders will also require information regarding each personal guarantor, if any, and may require information regarding Borrowers’ management and owners, such as legal name, address social security number and date of birth.

SECTION 9.15 Disclosure. Each Loan Party and each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and/or their respective Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates. In addition, each Loan Party and each Lender hereby acknowledges that an Affiliate of the Agent was an initial purchaser of the Senior Secured Notes.

SECTION 9.16 Appointment for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent and the Lenders, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession. Should any Lender or the Co-Collateral Agent obtain possession of any such Collateral, such Lender or the Co-Collateral Agent shall notify the Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Agent’s instructions.

 

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SECTION 9.17 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 9.18 Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms; Entire Agreement; Credit Inquiries; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. Each Loan Party hereby agrees and confirms that, notwithstanding the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement:

(a) The provisions of the Loan Documents are cumulative. The parties acknowledge that the Loan Documents may use several limitations, tests or measurements to regulate similar matters, and they agree that these are cumulative and that each must be performed as provided. Except as otherwise provided in another Loan Document (by specific reference to the applicable provision of this Agreement), if any provision contained herein is in direct conflict with any provision in another Loan Document (other than the Intercreditor Agreement), the provision herein shall govern and control.

(b) Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents. The Loan Documents 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.

(c) Each Loan Party hereby authorizes the Agent and the Lenders (but they shall have no obligation) to respond to usual and customary credit inquiries from third parties concerning any Borrower or Subsidiary.

(d) In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, the Borrowers acknowledge and agree that (a)(i) this credit facility and any related arranging or other services by the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrowers and such Person; (ii) the Borrowers have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) the Borrowers are capable of evaluating and understanding, and do understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; (b) each of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal in connection with this credit facility, is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrowers, any of their Affiliates or any other Person, and has no obligation with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth therein; and (c) the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrowers and their Affiliates, and have no obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrowers or their Affiliates.

 

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SECTION 9.19 Confirmation, Ratification and Affirmation by Loan Parties. Each Loan Party hereby agrees and confirms that, notwithstanding the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement:

(a) The obligations of each Guarantor contained in the Loan Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby confirmed, renewed, affirmed and continued by this Agreement.

(b) All rights, benefits, interests, duties, liabilities and obligations of the parties to the Security Documents and the agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith are hereby confirmed, renewed, affirmed and continued hereby. Without limitation of the foregoing, all security interests, pledges, assignments and other Liens previously granted by any Guarantor, as a Grantor, pursuant to the Security Documents are hereby confirmed, renewed, affirmed and continued, and all such security interests, pledges, assignments and other Liens shall remain in full force and effect as security for all Secured Obligations with no change in the priority applicable thereto, in each case, subject only to Liens permitted under the Loan Documents, to the extent provided therein.

(c) This affirmation under this Section 9.18 does not extinguish the indebtedness or liabilities outstanding in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, the Loan Guaranty or the Security Documents, nor does it constitute a novation with respect thereto; rather, such indebtedness and liabilities have been redenominated, as set forth herein.

(d) Each reference in the Loan Guaranty and each Security Document to the “Credit Agreement” or “Revolving Facility Credit Agreement” shall mean and be a reference to this Agreement, and each reference to any other term defined in the Existing Credit Agreement shall be a reference to such term as amended by the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(e) Each Guarantor acknowledges and stipulates that the Loan Guaranty, the Security Documents and each other Loan Document (including, without limitation, in each reference herein to the Loan Documents), each Banking Services Agreement and each Swap Agreement in respect of Secured Swap Obligations executed by such Guarantor are legal, valid and binding obligations of such Guarantor that are enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with the terms thereof, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity, as set forth in such Loan Documents, and the security interests and liens granted under Security Documents and each other Loan Document by such Guarantor in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, are and continue to be, duly perfected, security interests and liens having the priority set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, in each case, to the full extent provided by the terms of the Security Documents and each other Loan Document and subject only to Liens permitted under the Loan Documents, to the extent provided therein.

 

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SECTION 9.20 INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. EACH LENDER HEREUNDER (A) CONSENTS TO THE SUBORDINATION OF LIENS PROVIDED FOR IN THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, (B) AGREES THAT IT WILL BE BOUND BY AND WILL TAKE NO ACTIONS CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND (C) AUTHORIZES AND INSTRUCTS THE AGENT TO ENTER INTO THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AS ABL AGENT AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH LENDER. THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS ARE INTENDED AS AN INDUCEMENT TO THE LENDERS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO EXTEND CREDIT TO BORROWERS AND SUCH LENDERS ARE INTENDED THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF SUCH PROVISIONS AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE X.

LOAN GUARANTY

SECTION 10.01 Guaranty. Each Loan Guarantor hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, and absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to the Lenders the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations (collectively the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal.

SECTION 10.02 Guaranty of Payment. This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor, or any other Person obligated for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.03 No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty. (a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than as expressly provided in Section 10.11), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration, or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower or any other guarantor of or other Person liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party, or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.

(b) The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or Regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

 

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(c) Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection, or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of each Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other guarantor of or other Person liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than as expressly provided in Section 10.11).

SECTION 10.04 Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor, other than the termination of a Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 10.11. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party, or any other Person. The Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully and indefeasibly paid in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

SECTION 10.05 Rights of Subrogation. No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification that it has against any Obligated Party, or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders.

SECTION 10.06 Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise, each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be

 

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reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Lender.

SECTION 10.07 Information. Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

SECTION 10.08 Maximum Liability. The provisions of this Loan Guaranty are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, Federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of such Loan Guarantor’s liability under this Loan Guaranty, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Loan Guarantors or the Lenders, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding (such highest amount determined hereunder being the relevant Loan Guarantor’s “Maximum Liability”). This Section 10.09 with respect to the Maximum Liability of each Loan Guarantor is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Lenders to the maximum extent not subject to avoidance under applicable law, and no Loan Guarantor nor any other Person or entity shall have any right or claim under this Section with respect to such Maximum Liability, except to the extent necessary so that the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder shall not be rendered voidable under applicable law. Each Loan Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Maximum Liability of each Loan Guarantor without impairing this Loan Guaranty or affecting the rights and remedies of the Lenders hereunder, provided that nothing in this sentence shall be construed to increase any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder beyond its Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement (including any provisions of this Article X to the contrary) shall limit the liability of the Company in respect of all of the Obligations under the Loan Documents.

SECTION 10.09 Contribution. In the event any Loan Guarantor (a “Paying Guarantor”) shall make any payment or payments under this Loan Guaranty or shall suffer any loss as a result of any realization upon any collateral granted by it to secure its obligations under this Loan Guaranty, each other Loan Guarantor (each a “Non-Paying Guarantor”) shall contribute to such Paying Guarantor an amount equal to such Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Guarantor Percentage” of such payment or payments made, or losses suffered, by such Paying Guarantor. For purposes of this Article X, each Non-Paying Guarantor’s “Guarantor Percentage” with respect to any such payment or loss by a Paying Guarantor shall be determined as of the date on which such payment or loss was made by reference to the ratio of (i) such Non-Paying Guarantor’s Maximum Liability as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder) or, if such Non-Paying Guarantor’s Maximum Liability has not been determined, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Non-Paying Guarantor from any Borrower after the date

 

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hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means) to (ii) the aggregate Maximum Liability of all Loan Guarantors hereunder (including such Paying Guarantor) as of such date (without giving effect to any right to receive, or obligation to make, any contribution hereunder), or to the extent that a Maximum Liability has not been determined for any Loan Guarantor, the aggregate amount of all monies received by such Loan Guarantors from any Borrower after the date hereof (whether by loan, capital infusion or by other means). Nothing in this provision shall affect any Loan Guarantor’s several liability for the entire amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (up to such Loan Guarantor’s Maximum Liability). Each of the Loan Guarantors covenants and agrees that its right to receive any contribution under this Loan Guaranty from a Non-Paying Guarantor shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the termination of a Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 10.11. This provision is for the benefit of all of the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the Loan Guarantors and may be enforced by any one, or more, or all of them in accordance with the terms hereof.

SECTION 10.10 Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Agent, the Co-Collateral Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

SECTION 10.11 Termination; Release of Loan Guarantors and Borrowers. The Loan Guaranty of all Loan Guarantors shall terminate on the Termination Date. Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.02(b) to the contrary (i) a Loan Guarantor or a Borrower that is a Subsidiary shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and its Loan Guaranty and obligations as a Borrower shall be automatically released upon the consummation of any transaction permitted hereunder as a result of which such Loan Guarantor or Borrower ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (A) if a Loan Guarantor or Borrower is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, then such Loan Guarantor shall be automatically released from its obligations hereunder and its Loan Guaranty and obligations as a Borrower shall be automatically released upon notification thereof from the Borrower Agent to the Agent. In connection with any such release, the Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Guarantor or Borrower that is a Subsidiary, at such Loan Guarantor’s or Borrower’s expense, all documents that such Loan Guarantor or Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to the preceding sentence of this Section 10.11 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Agent.

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

 

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

 

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS, INC., as a Borrower

By

 

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name: J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General             Counsel and Secretary

AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDINGS, INC., as Holdings

By

 

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name: J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Executive Vice President, General             Counsel and Secretary

AM-PAC TIRE DIST. INC., as a Borrower

By

 

/s/ J. Michael Gaither

  Name: J. Michael Gaither
  Title:   Vice President and Secretary


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually and as Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank, a Lender and Swingline Lender

By

 

/s/ Seth Benefield

 

Name: Seth Benefield

 

Title:   Senior Vice President


GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as a Co-Collateral Agent and a Lender

By

 

/s/ Robert M. Brichacek

 

Name: Robert M. Brichacek

 

Title: Duly Authorized Signatory


WACHOVIA CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION (NEW ENGLAND), as Syndication Agent and a Lender

By

 

/s/ Brian Kennedy

 

Name: Brian Kennedy

 

Title: Vice President


BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender

By

 

/s/ Kevin Cullen

 

Name: Kevin Cullen

 

Title: Director


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as a Lender

By

 

/s/ Pierre Noriega

 

Name: Pierre Noriega

 

Title: Attorney-in-Fact


UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC, as a Lender

By  

/s/ Mary E. Evans

  Name: Mary E. Evans
 

Title:   Associate Director Banking

Products Services, US

By  

/s/ Irja R. Otsa

  Name: Irja R. Otsa
 

Title:   Associate Director Banking

Products Services, US


RBS BUSINESS CAPITAL, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc.

By  

/s/ Todd Pacifico

  Name: Todd Pacifico
  Title:   Vice President


COMMITMENT SCHEDULE

 

LENDER

   REVOLVING COMMITMENT

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 135,000,000

Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (New England)

   $ 120,000,000

General Electric Capital Corporation

   $ 120,000,000

RBS Business Capital

   $ 30,000,000

UBS Loan Finance LLC

   $ 20,000,000

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 15,000,000

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 10,000,000
      

TOTAL

   $ 450,000,000.00
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