0001193125-13-028988.txt : 20130130 0001193125-13-028988.hdr.sgml : 20130130 20130130062827 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-13-028988 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 11 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20130128 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20130130 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20130130 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AXIALL CORP/DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000805264 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PLASTICS, MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS [2821] IRS NUMBER: 581563799 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-09753 FILM NUMBER: 13556967 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 115 PERIMETER CENTER PLACE STREET 2: STE. 460 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30346 BUSINESS PHONE: 7703954500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 115 PERIMETER CENTER PLACE STREET 2: STE. 460 CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30346 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AXIALL Corp /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20130128 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GEORGIA GULF CORP /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 d475663d8k.htm 8-K 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): January 28, 2013

AXIALL CORPORATION

(formerly known as GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   1-09753   58-1563799

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
115 Perimeter Center Place, Suite 460, Atlanta, GA   30346
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 395-4500

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

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))

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. 

As previously announced on July 19, 2012, Axiall Corporation (formerly known as Georgia Gulf Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and PPG Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (“PPG”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among the Company, PPG, Eagle Spinco Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PPG (“Splitco”), and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Georgia Gulf (“Merger Sub”). In addition, PPG and Splitco entered into a Separation Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012 (the “Separation Agreement”), which provided for the transfer by PPG to Splitco of the business and substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the business of PPG relating to the production of chlorine, caustic soda and related chemicals, including, among other things, PPG’s 60% interest in Taiwan Chlorine Industries, Ltd., a joint venture between PPG and China Petrochemical Development Corporation (collectively, the “PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business”).

As previously disclosed, on December 27, 2012, PPG commenced an offer to PPG shareholders to exchange all or a portion of their shares of common stock, par value $1.66 2/3 per share, of PPG (“PPG common stock”), for shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Splitco (“Splitco common stock”), which shares of Splitco common stock would be automatically converted into shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Company common stock”) pursuant to the Merger Agreement, based on an exchange ratio of 3.2562 shares of Splitco common stock for each share of PPG common stock tendered. The exchange offer expired at 8:00 a.m. on January 28, 2013.

Immediately after the expiration and consummation of the exchange offer and the distribution by PPG of shares of Splitco common stock to holders of shares of PPG common stock (the “Distribution”), on January 28, 2013 (the “Closing Date”), Merger Sub merged with and into Splitco, whereby the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased and Splitco continued as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). In the Merger, each share of Splitco common stock was converted into the right to receive one share of Company common stock.

As consideration for Splitco’s acquisition of the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business in the Distribution, Splitco distributed (the “Special Distribution”) to PPG: (1) the cash proceeds of approximately $279.0 million in new bank debt incurred by Splitco under a senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Facility”), which included $67.0 million necessary to fund a net working capital adjustment under the Separation Agreement, and (2) $688.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due 2021 issued by Splitco (the “Splitco Notes”).

Senior Notes Offering

On the Closing Date, Splitco entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which Splitco issued $688.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Splitco Notes. The Splitco Notes were initially issued by Splitco to PPG as partial consideration for Splitco’s acquisition of the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business. PPG then transferred the Splitco Notes to certain financial institutions in satisfaction of existing debt obligations of PPG held by those financial institutions. It is expected that, pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated January 17, 2013, among Splitco, the financial institutions and the initial purchasers thereunder, on January 30, 2013, the initial purchasers will purchase the Splitco Notes held by the financial institutions referred to above and resell them to investors in the Splitco Notes offering. Splitco will not receive any net proceeds from the sale of the Splitco Notes. The Splitco Notes will be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A and to persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Splitco Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Upon the consummation of the Merger, the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company became guarantors of the Splitco Notes and executed a supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the “First Supplemental Indenture”) with Splitco and the Trustee. Pursuant to the Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture, the

 

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Splitco Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of the existing and future domestic subsidiaries of each of Splitco and the Company and each of its existing and future domestic subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, that also guarantee the U.S. dollar obligations under the Credit Agreements (as defined below).

The Splitco Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.625% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2013. Interest will accrue from January 30, 2013. The Splitco Notes will mature on February 15, 2021.

Splitco may redeem some or all of the Splitco Notes at any time prior to February 15, 2018 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Splitco Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and an applicable “make-whole” premium. On or after February 15, 2018, Splitco may redeem some or all of the Splitco Notes at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. In addition, in certain circumstances, if the Company, including Splitco, experiences certain kinds of change of control triggering events, it must offer to purchase the Splitco Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any).

The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of Splitco, the Company and certain of their respective subsidiaries to: incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; pay dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock; limit the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; make investments; incur liens; and sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets or enter into or merge with or into other companies. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. Further, certain of these covenants will cease to apply at all times after the date on which the Splitco Notes receive investment grade ratings from both Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s”), provided no default or event of default under the Indenture exists at that time. Such terminated covenants will not be reinstated if the Splitco Notes lose their investment grade ratings at any time thereafter.

The Indenture provides for customary events of default, including: failure to make required payments; failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants; failure to pay, or acceleration of, certain other material indebtedness; and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. An event of default under the Indenture will allow either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Splitco Notes to accelerate, or in certain cases, will automatically cause the acceleration of, the amounts due under the Splitco Notes.

In connection with the issuance of the Splitco Notes, Splitco will enter into a registration rights agreement on or about January 30, 2013 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) relating to the Splitco Notes, pursuant to which Splitco will agree to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and cause to become effective, a registration statement with respect to a registered offer to exchange the Splitco Notes for new, unrestricted notes with terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Splitco Notes.

The foregoing description of the Splitco Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, the form of Splitco Notes and the First Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility

In connection with the Merger, on January 28, 2013, Splitco entered into a credit agreement (such agreement and any related documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, the “Splitco Term Loan Agreement”), with the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, in order to finance the cash portion of the Special Distribution and the net working capital adjustment as required by the Merger Agreement. The Company agreed to pay certain fees to Barclays Bank PLC and the financial institutions party to the Credit Agreement in connection with the Term Facility and agreed to indemnify them against certain liabilities. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company and each of its existing domestic subsidiaries that guarantee any other indebtedness of the Company joined as guarantors under the Splitco Term Loan Agreement. Splitco has the option to repay amounts outstanding under the Term Facility within 45 days after the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter prior to its maturity date.

 

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Borrowings under the Term Facility are expected to mature on the earlier of (1) the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date and (2) 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s existing 9.0 percent senior secured notes due 2017 (the “9 percent notes”) unless, at least 91 days prior to the maturity date of the 9 percent notes, the 9 percent notes are refinanced with notes having a maturity date at least six months after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date.

Obligations under the Term Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by each of Splitco’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries, and by the Company and each of the Company’s existing and subsequently acquired subsidiaries that guarantee any other indebtedness of the Company. The obligations under the Term Facility are secured by all assets of Splitco and the guarantors that secure the obligations in respect of the 9 percent notes. In addition, the obligations under the Term Facility rank pari passu with the obligations in respect of the 9 percent notes.

At the election of Splitco, the Term Facility bears interest at a rate equal to: (1) the Base Rate (as defined in the Splitco Term Loan Agreement) plus 1.75% per annum; or (2) the reserve adjusted Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Splitco Term Loan Agreement) plus 2.75% per annum; provided that at no time will the Base Rate be deemed to be less than 2.00% per annum or the reserve adjusted Eurodollar Rate be deemed to be less than 1.00% per annum.

Subject to certain conditions and exceptions, the Splitco Term Loan Agreement requires Splitco to prepay outstanding loans in certain circumstances, including (a) in an amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds from sales or dispositions of certain property or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries in excess of $15.0 million per sale or disposition, or in excess of $50.0 million in the aggregate for all sales or dispositions per fiscal year, in each case subject to customary reinvestment rights, (b) in an amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds from property insurance or condemnation awards, subject to customary reinvestment rights, (c) in an amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds from the incurrence of additional debt other than debt permitted under the Splitco Term Loan Agreement and (d) certain excess cash flow prepayments in a range of 0% to 50% depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Splitco Term Loan Agreement also provides for voluntary prepayment of loans without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions and exceptions.

The Splitco Term Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants (subject to exceptions), including covenants related to: financial statements and other reports, existence, payment of taxes and claims, maintenance of properties, insurance, books and records, inspections, lenders’ meetings, compliance with laws, environmental, subsidiaries, additional material real estate assets, additional collateral, further assurances, and maintenance of ratings (but no minimum rating requirement). The Splitco Term Loan Agreement also contains customary negative covenants (subject to exceptions) that may restrict the Company and its subsidiaries, including Splitco, in their activities, including covenants related to: indebtedness, liens, no further negative pledges, restricted junior payments, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, fundamental changes, disposition of assets, acquisitions, capital expenditures, contingent obligations, sales and lease-backs, transactions with affiliates, conduct of business, amendments or waivers of organizational documents, amendments or waivers with respect to certain indebtedness, and fiscal year. In addition, the Company will be subject to a senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the Splitco Term Loan Agreement) of 3.50 to 1.00.

The Splitco Term Loan Agreement provides for customary events of default, including failure to make payments when due, default under certain other agreements, breach of certain covenants, material breach of representations, other defaults under the Term Facility documentation, involuntary bankruptcy, voluntary bankruptcy, judgments and attachments, dissolution, employee benefit plans, change of control, guaranties, security documents, and failure of subordinated indebtedness to be subordinated, subject to customary qualifications and limitations for materiality.

The foregoing description of the Term Facility is qualified in its entirety by reference to Splitco Term Loan Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

New ABL Revolver

On January 28, 2013, the Company refinanced its current asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by General Electric Capital Corporation (the “New ABL Revolver”), pursuant to an amended and restated credit agreement (such agreement and any related documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, the “ABL Credit Agreement” and, together with the Splitco Term Loan Agreement, the

 

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“Credit Agreements”), among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and General Electric Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, in order to fund working capital and operating activities, including future acquisitions and the repayment of certain outstanding indebtedness after the Closing Date. Among other things, the New ABL Revolver (1) increases revolver availability from $300.0 million to $500.0 million, subject to applicable borrowing base limitations and certain other conditions, and (2) includes a $200.0 million sub-facility for borrowings by the Canadian subsidiaries of the Company, a $200.0 million sub-facility for letters of credit, and, subject to lender commitments, a $200.0 million accordion. As of the Closing Date, the Company had $35 million of outstanding borrowings under the New ABL Revolver.

Borrowings under the New ABL Revolver are expected to mature on the earlier of (1) the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and (2) 90 days prior to the maturity of the 9 percent notes unless, at least 120 days prior to the maturity date of the 9 percent notes, the 9 percent notes are refinanced with notes having a maturity date at least 90 days after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

U.S. borrowing obligations under the New ABL Revolver will be unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries). On the Closing Date, Splitco and its subsidiaries became guarantors under the New ABL Revolver. Canadian borrowing obligations under the New ABL Revolver will be unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized direct or indirect domestic and Canadian subsidiaries (other than certain excluded subsidiaries). All obligations under the New ABL Revolver, and the guarantees of those obligations, will be secured, subject to certain exceptions, by substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of the guarantors, including, subject to certain exceptions: (1) a first-priority security interest in the Company and the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries’ receivables and inventory and related general intangibles, certain other related assets and proceeds thereof, as well as substantially all of the present and future personal property assets of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries; and (2) a second-priority security interest in substantially all of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries’ present and future assets located in the United States (other than the collateral in which the New ABL Revolver will have a first-priority lien as described above, and other excluded assets) including equipment, certain owned real property, and all present and future shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries’ owned domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the present and future shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries’ directly owned foreign restricted subsidiaries.

At the election of the Company, with respect to U.S. borrowings under the New ABL Revolver, the New ABL Revolver will bear interest at a rate equal to either: (1) an index rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the “prime rate” rate, as published by The Wall Street Journal, (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (iii) three-month LIBOR plus 1%, or (2) three-month LIBOR, plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s utilization under the New ABL Revolver. At the election of the Company, with respect to Canadian borrowings under the New ABL Revolver, the New ABL Revolver will bear interest at a rate equal to either (1) an index rate determined by reference to the higher of (i) the annual rate of interest quoted as “Canadian prime” or “chartered bank prime rate” and (ii) the rate per annum determined by reference to the average rate applicable to Canadian Dollars bankers’ acceptances with a term comparable to the applicable period plus 1.35% per annum, or (2) three-month LIBOR, plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s utilization under the New ABL Revolver. The applicable margin for borrowings under the New ABL Revolver will be 1.50% per annum for LIBOR margin loans and 0.50% per annum for base rate and index loans, provided that if the Company has not received a corporate family credit rating of at least Ba3 from Moody’s and BB- from Standard & Poor’s, the applicable margin will range from 0.5% to 2.00% depending on the utilization percentages set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder, of 0.375% of the unutilized commitments, provided that if the Company has received a corporate family credit rating of at least Ba3 from Moody’s and BB- from Standard & Poor’s, the fee will be reduced to 0.25% if utilization is greater than or equal to 25%. The Company must also pay customary letter of credit fees equal to the applicable margin on LIBOR loans and agency fees.

If at any time the aggregate amount of outstanding loans, unreimbursed letter of credit drawings and undrawn letters of credit under the New ABL Revolver exceeds the lesser of (1) the commitment amount and (2) the borrowing base, the Company will be required to repay outstanding loans and cash collateralize letters of credit in an aggregate amount equal to such excess, with no reduction of the commitment amount. If the amount available under the New ABL Revolver is less than $62.5 million for a period of five consecutive business days or any event of default shall have occurred, the Company will be required to deposit cash from its material deposit accounts

 

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(including all concentration accounts) daily in a collection account maintained with the administrative agent under the New ABL Revolver, which will be used to repay outstanding loans and cash collateralize letters of credit. The ABL Credit Agreement also provides for voluntary prepayment of loans without premium or penalty other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans, subject to certain conditions and exceptions.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants (subject to exceptions), including, among other things, covenants related to: financial statements and other reports, existence, payment of taxes and claims, maintenance of properties, insurance, books and records, inspections, lenders’ meetings, compliance with laws, environmental, subsidiaries, additional material real estate assets, additional collateral, further assurances, maintenance of ratings (but no minimum rating requirement), cash management systems and insurance protection.

The ABL Credit Agreement also contains customary negative covenants (subject to exceptions) that will restrict the Company and its subsidiaries, including Splitco, in their activities, including, among other things, covenants related to: indebtedness, liens, transactions with affiliates, restricted junior payments, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, disposition of assets, acquisitions, capital expenditures and sale and lease-backs. In addition, the Company will be subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) of 1.10 to 1.00 if excess availability is less than $62.5 million for three consecutive business days.

The ABL Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default, including failure to make payments when due, default under certain other agreements, breach of certain covenants, material breach of representations, other defaults under the New ABL Revolver documentation, involuntary bankruptcy, voluntary bankruptcy, judgments and attachments, dissolution, employee benefit plans, change of control, guaranties, security documents, and failure of subordinated indebtedness to be subordinated, subject to customary qualifications and limitations for materiality.

The foregoing description of the New ABL Revolver is qualified in its entirety by reference to the ABL Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Additional Guarantors of 9 Percent Notes

Upon consummation of the Merger, on January 28, 2013, the Company, Splitco, certain of their subsidiaries and the trustee and notes collateral agent under the 9 percent notes entered into a supplemental indenture to the indenture governing the 9 percent notes (the “9 percent notes Supplemental Indenture”) pursuant to which Splitco and its domestic subsidiaries guaranteed the 9 percent notes and pledged their assets to secure the obligations thereunder.

The foregoing description of the 9 percent notes Supplemental Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 9 percent Notes Supplemental Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.4 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On the Closing Date, the Merger was consummated pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Separation Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each issued and outstanding share of Splitco common stock was converted into the right to receive one share of Company common stock. The Company issued 35,249,104 shares of Company common stock to the former holders of Splitco common stock, together with cash in lieu of any fractional shares. On the Closing Date, Splitco, which directly and through its subsidiaries, holds the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Immediately after consummation of the Merger, approximately 50.5% of the outstanding shares of Company common stock was held by pre-Merger holders of Splitco common stock and approximately 49.5% of the outstanding shares of Company common stock was held by pre-Merger stockholders of the Company. In connection with the Merger and the related transactions, the Company, PPG and Splitco entered certain additional agreements relating to, among other things, certain tax matters, certain employee matters, the provision of certain transition services during a transition period following the consummation of the Merger and the sharing of facilities, services and supplies.

The information contained in Items 1.01 and 5.02 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the foregoing description of the Merger is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, the amendment to the Merger Agreement and the Separation Agreement, copies of which were filed as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2 and 10.1 hereto, respectively, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information contained in Item 1.01 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.

Plan Amendment

As previously disclosed, on January 10, 2013, the stockholders of the Company approved the First Amendment (the “Plan Amendment”) to the Company’s 2011 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) contingent upon the consummation of the Merger. As of the Closing Date, the Plan Amendment took effect. A copy of the Plan Amendment is filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Appointment of New Directors

On January 28, 2013, the Company also issued a press release announcing an increase in the size of its board of directors and the election of three new members of the board of directors of the Company. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Robert Ripp, Victoria F. Haynes and Michael H. McGarry were elected to the board of directors of the Company effective as of the Closing Date. In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company increased the size of the board of directors of the Company and each of Mr. Ripp, Dr. Haynes and Mr. McGarry were selected by PPG for election to the board of directors of the Company upon the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has also agreed to nominate each of these individuals for re-election to the board of directors at the Company’s 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. As of the Closing Date, Dr. Haynes was appointed to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Mr. McGarry was appointed to serve on the Finance Committee.

Dr. Haynes, age 65, has been a director of PPG since 2003. She also is a director of Nucor Corporation and is a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal DSM, a global life sciences and material sciences company. Dr. Haynes served as president and chief executive officer of RTI International, which performs scientific research and development in advanced technologies, public policy, environmental protection, and health and medicine, from 1999 until retiring in 2012.

Mr. Ripp, age 71, has been a director of PPG since 2003. He also is a director of ACE Limited, and has served as director and chairman of Lightpath Technologies, a manufacturer of optical lens and module assemblies for the telecom sector, since 1999. Earlier, Mr. Ripp was chairman and chief executive officer of AMP Incorporated, a publicly traded, international company.

Mr. McGarry, age 54, became executive vice president of PPG in 2012. In this role, he assumed leadership responsibility for PPG’s Asia Pacific region, its global aerospace products and automotive refinish businesses, and its commodity chemical business, which merged with the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Mr. McGarry’s responsibilities also include corporate oversight for all PPG environmental, health and safety activities and the global information technology function. Earlier, he was senior vice president of PPG’s commodity chemical business, and Mr. McGarry was the President of Splitco prior to the consummation of the Merger.

Each of Dr. Haynes, Mr. Ripp, and Mr. McGarry will be compensated for board services in the same manner as other members of the board of directors of the Company, which includes the payment to each of Mr. Ripp, Dr. Haynes and Mr. McGarry of an annual fee of $70,000 and an additional fee of $1,000 per board or committee meeting for every official meeting over a threshold of 25 official meetings per year that each such director attends. These directors are also eligible to participate in the Plan, as amended by the Plan Amendment.

 

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Each of Mr. Ripp and Dr. Haynes has been a member of the board of directors of PPG since 2003.

In connection with each director’s election, the Company has entered into, or will enter into, a customary indemnification agreement with each new director. In general, the indemnification agreement provides that the Company will indemnify each director, subject to certain provisions, to the fullest extent permitted or required by Delaware law and to any greater extent that Delaware law may permit in the future against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings related to such director’s actions or failure to act in his capacity as an officer or director of the Company and any and all expenses, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, fines or penalties paid in settlement in connection with such claim, except for certain claims initiated by such director against the Company or any director or officer of the Company. The indemnification agreement also provides for the advancement by the Company prior to the final disposition of the claim of any and all expenses relating to any claim incurred or paid by such director or reasonably expected to be paid or incurred by such director, provided that such director undertakes in writing to repay any such amounts to the extent that it is determined such director is not entitled to indemnification. The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained in Items 1.01 and 2.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

Change of Name and Increase in Authorized Shares

Effective January 28, 2013, the Company changed its name to Axiall Corporation. The name change was effected through a short-form merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) by merging a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation in the merger. Under the DGCL, the merger did not require stockholder approval and had the effect of amending the Company’s certificate of incorporation to reflect the new legal name of the Company. A copy of the Certificate of Ownership and Merger effecting the name change, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013, is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The merger and resulting name change do not affect the rights of the Company’s security holders.

Effective January 28, 2013, the Company also filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Company common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 200,000,000 shares. A copy of the Certificate of Amendment, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013, is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

With the exception of the name change and the increase in authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, there were no other changes to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

Change of Ticker Symbol

In connection with the change of the Company’s name, the Company common stock, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), ceased trading under the ticker symbol “GGC” on January 28, 2013 and, on January 29, 2013, commenced trading under the ticker symbol “AXLL”.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired

The financial statements required by this item will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K no later than 71 calendar days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K must be filed.

 

- 8 -


(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

The financial statements required by this item will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K no later than 71 calendar days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K must be filed.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

  2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among the Company, PPG Industries, Inc., Eagle Spinco Inc. and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on October 18, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

  2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 31, 2012, by and among the Company, PPG Industries, Inc., Eagle Spinco Inc. and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 5, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

  3.1 Certificate of Ownership and Merger, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013

 

  3.2 Certificate of Amendment, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013

 

  4.1 Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, by and among Eagle Spinco Inc., the initial guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

  4.2 Form of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).

 

  4.3 First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, by and among Eagle Spinco Inc., the additional guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

  4.4 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, to the Indenture dated as of December 22, 2009, by and among the Company, Eagle Spinco Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

  10.1 Separation Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and between PPG Industries, Inc. and Eagle Spinco Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 19, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

  10.2 Term Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2013, among Eagle Spinco Inc., the various affiliates of Eagle Spinco Inc. party thereto as guarantors, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Royal Bank of Canada and the other lenders party thereto

 

  10.3 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2013, among the Company, Eagle Spinco Inc. and Royal Group, Inc., as borrowers, the guarantors party thereto, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, Barclays Bank PLC and the other lenders a party thereto

 

  10.4 First Amendment to the Company’s 2011 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan

 

  99.1 Press release, dated January 28, 2013

 

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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.

 

AXIALL CORPORATION

(formerly known as GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION)

By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Date: January 30, 2013

 

- 10 -


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among the Company, PPG Industries, Inc., Eagle Spinco Inc. and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on October 18, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 31, 2012, by and among the Company, PPG Industries, Inc., Eagle Spinco Inc. and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 5, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

3.1 Certificate of Ownership and Merger, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013

 

3.2 Certificate of Amendment, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 2013

 

4.1 Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, by and among Eagle Spinco Inc., the initial guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

4.2 Form of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1).

 

4.3 First Supplemental Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, by and among Eagle Spinco Inc., the additional guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

4.4 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated January 28, 2013, to the Indenture dated as of December 22, 2009, by and among the Company, Eagle Spinco Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

10.1 Separation Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and between PPG Industries, Inc. and Eagle Spinco Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 19, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference)

 

10.2 Term Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2013, among Eagle Spinco Inc., the various affiliates of Eagle Spinco Inc. party thereto as guarantors, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Royal Bank of Canada and the other lenders party thereto

 

10.3 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2013, among the Company, Eagle Spinco Inc. and Royal Group, Inc., as borrowers, the guarantors party thereto, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, Barclays Bank PLC and the other lenders a party thereto

 

10.4 First Amendment to the Company’s 2011 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan

 

99.1 Press release, dated January 28, 2013

 

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EX-3.1 2 d475663dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

MERGING

AXIALL CORPORATION

WITH AND INTO

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION

Pursuant to Section 253 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

Georgia Gulf Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify to the following facts relating to the merger (the “Merger”) of Axiall Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Subsidiary”), with and into the Company, with the Company remaining as the surviving corporation under the name of Axiall Corporation.

FIRST: The Company is incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Subsidiary is incorporated pursuant to the DGCL.

SECOND: The Company owns all of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of the Subsidiary.

THIRD: The Board of Directors of the Company, by the following resolutions duly adopted on January 28, 2013, determined to merge the Subsidiary with and into the Company pursuant to Section 253 of the DGCL:

WHEREAS the Company desires to change its name to Axiall Corporation, pursuant to Section 253(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) (the “Name Change”);

WHEREAS, in order to effect the Name Change, the Company has incorporated a corporation named Axiall Corporation (the “Subsidiary”) under the DGCL and has acquired one share of Common Stock of the Subsidiary, with a par value of $0.01 per share (“Subsidiary Common Stock”), which shall be all of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Subsidiary; and


WHEREAS, in order to effect the Name Change the Board has deemed it advisable that the Subsidiary be merged with and into the Company (the “253 Merger”), pursuant to Section 253 of the DGCL;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Company is hereby authorized to effect the Name Change by merging the Subsidiary with and into the Company pursuant to Section 253 of the DGCL;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that by virtue of the 253 Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, each then outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”), shall remain unchanged and continue to remain outstanding as one share of Company Common Stock, held by the person who was the holder of such share of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the 253 Merger;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, each then outstanding share of Subsidiary Common Stock shall be cancelled and no consideration shall be issued in respect thereof;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the 253 Merger shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation, except that Article I. thereof shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows: “I. The name of the Corporation is AXIALL CORPORATION.”;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Authorized Officers be and they hereby are authorized and directed to do all acts and things that may be necessary to carry out and effectuate the purpose and intent of the resolutions relating to the Name Change and the 253 Merger;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Authorized Officers be and they hereby are authorized and directed to make, execute and acknowledge, in the name and under the corporate seal of the Company, a certificate of ownership and merger for the purpose of consummating the 253 Merger and to file the same in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and to do all other acts and things that may be necessary to carry out and effectuate the purpose and intent of the resolutions relating to the 253 Merger;

 

-2-


FOURTH: The Company shall be the surviving corporation of the Merger.

FIFTH: The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger shall be the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation, except that Article I thereof shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:

 

  I. The name of the corporation is:

AXIALL CORPORATION

 

-3-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be executed by its duly authorized officer this 28th day of January, 2013.

 

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
EX-3.2 3 d475663dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

AXIALL CORPORATION

Axiall Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that the following amendment to the corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, with the approval of such amendment by the corporation’s stockholders having been given by the corporation’s stockholders at the corporation’s special meeting of stockholders in accordance with Sections 211 and 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law:

Article IV of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is two hundred seventy-five million (275,000,000) shares, consisting of two hundred million (200,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and seventy-five million (75,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, which may be issued from time to time in one or more series, with the Board of Directors being hereby authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designation of the Preferred Stock and the rights, powers, preferences, and the relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such provisions as may be desired concerning voting or consent, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.”

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its duly authorized officer on January 28, 2012 and the foregoing facts stated herein are true and correct.

 

AXIALL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   General Counsel, Secretary, Executive Vice President
EX-4.1 4 d475663dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

EAGLE SPINCO INC.

as Issuer

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

4.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of January 28, 2013

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 


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)    N/A
  (b)(2)    7.06; 7.07
  (c)    7.06; 12.02
  (d)    7.06
314   (a)    12.05
  (b)    N.A.
  (c)(2)    N.A.
  (c)(3)    N.A.
  (d)    12.05
  (e)    N.A.
  (f)    N.A.
315   (a)    7.01
  (b)    7.05; 12.02
  (c)    7.01
  (d)    7.01
  (e)    6.11
316   (a) (last sentence)    2.09
  (a)(1)(A)    6.05
  (a)(1)(B)    6.04
  (a)(2)    N.A.
  (b)    6.07
  (c)    2.12
317   (a)(1)    6.08
  (a)(2)    6.09
  (b)    2.04
318   (a)    12.01
  (b)    N.A.
  (c)    12.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION   
BY REFERENCE   
Section 1.01.   Definitions.      1   
Section 1.02.   Other Definitions.      30   
Section 1.03.   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.      30   
Section 1.04.   Rules of Construction.      31   
ARTICLE 2   
THE NOTES   
Section 2.01.   Form and Dating.      31   
Section 2.02.   Execution and Authentication.      32   
Section 2.03.   Registrar and Paying Agent.      32   
Section 2.04.   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.      33   
Section 2.05.   Holder Lists.      33   
Section 2.06.   Transfer and Exchange.      33   
Section 2.07.   Replacement Notes.      44   
Section 2.08.   Outstanding Notes.      45   
Section 2.09.   Treasury Notes.      45   
Section 2.10.   Temporary Notes.      45   
Section 2.11.   Cancellation.      45   
Section 2.12.   Defaulted Interest.      46   
ARTICLE 3   
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT   
Section 3.01.   Notices to Trustee.      46   
Section 3.02.   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.      46   
Section 3.03.   Notice of Redemption.      47   
Section 3.04.   Effect of Notice of Redemption.      47   
Section 3.05.   Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.      48   
Section 3.06.   Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.      48   
Section 3.07.   Optional Redemption.      48   
Section 3.08.   Mandatory Redemption.      49   
Section 3.09.   Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.      49   
ARTICLE 4   
COVENANTS   
Section 4.01.   Payment of Notes.      50   
Section 4.02.   Maintenance of Office or Agency.      51   
Section 4.03.   Reports.      51   
Section 4.04.   Compliance Certificate.      52   
Section 4.05.   Taxes.      52   
Section 4.06.   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.      52   
Section 4.07.   Restricted Payments.      53   
Section 4.08.   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.      56   


Section 4.09.   Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.      58   
Section 4.10.   Asset Sales.      62   
Section 4.11.   Transactions with Affiliates.      64   
Section 4.12.   Liens.      65   
Section 4.13.   Business Activities.      65   
Section 4.14.   Corporate Existence.      65   
Section 4.15.   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.      66   
Section 4.16.   Additional Note Guarantees.      67   
Section 4.17.   Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.      68   
Section 4.18.   Termination of Certain Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade.      68   
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   
Section 5.01.   Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.      69   
Section 5.02.   Successor Corporation Substituted.      70   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
Section 6.01.   Events of Default.      71   
Section 6.02.   Acceleration.      72   
Section 6.03.   Other Remedies.      73   
Section 6.04.   Waiver of Past Defaults.      73   
Section 6.05.   Control by Majority.      73   
Section 6.06.   Limitation on Suits.      73   
Section 6.07.   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.      74   
Section 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee.      74   
Section 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.      74   
Section 6.10.   Priorities.      75   
Section 6.11.   Undertaking for Costs.      75   
ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01.   Duties of Trustee.      75   
Section 7.02.   Rights of Trustee.      76   
Section 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee.      77   
Section 7.04.   Trustee’s Disclaimer.      77   
Section 7.05.   Notice of Defaults.      77   
Section 7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.      77   
Section 7.07.   Compensation and Indemnity.      78   
Section 7.08.   Replacement of Trustee.      78   
Section 7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      79   
Section 7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification.      79   
Section 7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.      80   

 

-ii-


ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   
Section 8.01.   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.      80   
Section 8.02.   Legal Defeasance and Discharge.      80   
Section 8.03.   Covenant Defeasance.      81   
Section 8.04.   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.      81   
Section 8.05.   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.      82   
Section 8.06.   Repayment to Issuer.      83   
Section 8.07.   Reinstatement.      83   
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   
Section 9.01.   Without Consent of Holders of Notes.      83   
Section 9.02.   With Consent of Holders of Notes.      84   
Section 9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.      85   
Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents.      86   
Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Notes.      86   
Section 9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      86   
ARTICLE 10   
NOTE GUARANTEES   
Section 10.01.   Guarantee.      86   
Section 10.02.   Limitation on Guarantor Liability.      87   
Section 10.03.   Benefits Acknowledged.      88   
Section 10.04.   Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.      88   
Section 10.05.   Releases.      88   
Section 10.06.   Additional Guarantors.      89   
ARTICLE 11   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
Section 11.01.   Satisfaction and Discharge.      90   
Section 11.02.   Application of Trust Money.      90   
ARTICLE 12   
MISCELLANEOUS   
Section 12.01.   Trust Indenture Act Controls.      91   
Section 12.02.   Notices.      91   
Section 12.03.   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.      92   
Section 12.04.   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.      92   
Section 12.05.   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.      92   
Section 12.06.   Rules by Trustee and Agents.      93   
Section 12.07.   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.      93   
Section 12.08.   Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.      93   
Section 12.09.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.      93   
Section 12.10.   Successors.      93   
Section 12.11.   Severability.      94   
Section 12.12.   Counterpart Originals.      94   
Section 12.13.   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      94   

 

-iii-


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A   FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C   FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D   FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

-iv-


INDENTURE dated as of January 28, 2013 among Eagle Spinco Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of (a) $688,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 substantially in the form of Exhibit A (the “Original Notes”), (b) any Additional Notes that may be issued substantially in the form of Exhibit A from time to time (all such securities in clauses (a) and (b) being referred to collectively as the “Initial Notes”) and (c) if and when issued as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement or another registration rights agreement or otherwise registered under the Securities Act and issued, $688,000,000 (or an amount equal to the Initial Notes) aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Exchange Notes”) issued in the Exchange Offer or another exchange offer in exchange for any Initial Notes or otherwise registered under the Securities Act. The Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are referred to collectively as the “Notes” and shall constitute a single class of notes hereunder.

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 that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

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

Additional Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Original Notes and any Exchange Notes issued) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Original Notes issued hereunder.

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,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. No Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) in whom a Receivables Entity makes an Investment in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction will be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries solely by reason of such Investment.


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

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to the redemption of any Note pursuant to Section 3.07(a) on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; and

(2) the excess of:

(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at February 15, 2018 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing under Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through February 15, 2018 (excluding interest paid prior to the Redemption Date and 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

(b) the principal amount of the 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:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 4.15 hereof and/or the provisions described under Section 5.01, as applicable, hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof).

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $50.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;

 

-2-


(4) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(5) the sale or lease of products, services, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business;

(6) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(7) transfers or sales of Receivables and Related Assets to a Receivables Entity or to any Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction or the creation of a Lien on any such Receivables or Related Assets in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

(8) transfers of Receivables and Related Assets (or a fractional undivided interest therein) by a Receivables Entity in a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

(9) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

(10) the concurrent trade or exchange of assets between the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person including any cash or Cash Equivalents necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof and must be determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors to be necessary to achieve an exchange of equivalent value;

(11) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(12) a disposition of receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection or sale thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy, liquidation or insolvency proceedings; and

(13) any transaction comprising the Transactions.

Attributable Indebtedness” in respect of a transaction in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases such property from that Person, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded semi-annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

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

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

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Board of Directors” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors (or comparable governing entity) of the general partner of the partnership or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any authorized committee of managing members thereof; and

(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

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

(1) 85% of the value of all accounts receivable owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date; plus

(2) 70% of the value of all inventory owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date; plus

(3) 100% of the unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized by law or other governmental action to be closed. If a payment date is a day other than a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty; provided however that the OMERS Leases shall not be deemed to be Capitalized Lease Obligations.

Capital Stock” means:

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

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

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

(4) 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.

 

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Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars or Canadian dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to any Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million;

(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and

(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute cash or Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act);

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) other than GGC becomes the ultimate Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holding company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company shall not be deemed to be a “person” for purposes of clauses (1) and (3) above such that the Beneficial Owners of such holding company shall be the Beneficial Owners of the Company’s Voting Stock for purposes of clauses (1) and (3) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the transactions comprising the Transactions shall not constitute a Change of Control.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of a Change of Control that is ac-companied or followed by a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between ratings categories), or withdrawal of the rating of the Notes within the Ratings

 

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Decline Period by one or more Rating Agencies, as a result of which the rating of the Notes on any day during such Ratings Decline Period is below the rating by each such Rating Agency in effect immediately preceding the first public announcement of the transaction that would constitute a Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to public announcement), provided that in making the relevant decision(s) referred to above to downgrade or withdraw such ratings, as applicable, the relevant Rating Agency announces publicly or confirms in writing during such Ratings Decline Period that such decision(s) resulted, in whole or in part, from the occurrence (or expected occurrence) of such Change of Control or the announcement of the intention to effect such Change of Control.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Company” means (1) the Issuer, prior to the consummation of the Merger and the execution of a supplemental indenture by GGC and (2) GGC, upon consummation of the Merger and the execution of a supplemental indenture by GGC, until a successor replaces it pursuant to the transaction permitted by Section 5.01 and thereafter means the successor.

Consolidated Coverage Ratio” means as of any date of determination, with respect to any specified Person, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which internal financial statements are available to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters, provided, however, that:

(1) if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(a) has incurred or assumed any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of revolving credit Indebtedness under any Credit Facility outstanding on the date of such calculation will be deemed to be (i) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding, or (ii) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation) and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period; or

(b) has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of the period that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio involves a discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving Credit Facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and the related commitment terminated), Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such discharge of such Indebtedness, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness, as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period;

 

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(2) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries will have made any Asset Sale or disposed of any company, division, operating unit, segment, business, group of related assets or line of business or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is such an Asset Sale or disposition:

(a) the Consolidated EBITDA for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Sale or disposition for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period; and

(b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale or disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

(3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (by merger or otherwise) will have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into the Company) or an acquisition of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or substantially all of a company, division, operating unit, segment, business or line of business, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and

(4) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period) will have made any Asset Sale or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2) or (3) above if made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Sale or Investment or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (and, to the extent such calculation includes pro forma expense and cost reductions, such pro forma expense and cost reductions shall be limited to, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investments, acquisition, merger or consolidation which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized within twelve (12) months after the date of such Investment, acquisition, merger or consolidation as the result of specified actions taken or to be taken within six (6) months after such date). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such

 

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Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months; provided that if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term of less than 12 months such Hedging Obligation shall be taken into account for the number of months remaining). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of the Company, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Company.

Consolidated EBITDA” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (other than clause (8)):

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense;

(2) Consolidated Income Taxes;

(3) consolidated depreciation expense;

(4) consolidated amortization expense (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and impairment charges;

(5) fees and expenses of third party professionals incurred prior to the Issue Date in respect of financing transactions and various amendments to existing credit facilities;

(6) any (i) cash expenses or charges related to the Transactions, or incurred in connection with any acquisition, disposition, Investment, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, amendments to or preparation of documentation governing Indebtedness, and issuance of Equity Interests, in each case whether or not completed) and (ii) and other non-recurring or non-cash expenses or charges reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period not included in the calculation);

(7) the amount of restructuring charges or reserve, integration cost or other business optimization expense or cost, including any one time costs incurred in connection with the Transactions or any acquisitions after the Issue Date and cost related to the closure and/or consolidation of the facilities; provided that the aggregate amount of cash charges and cash costs that are included in this clause (7) for actions not related to the Transactions shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA in any four-quarter period;

(8) the amount of net cost savings projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions either taken or initiated prior to or during such period (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expect to be realized prior to or during such period from such actions; provided that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such actions have been taken or initiated no later than 12 months after the date of such actions and (z) the aggregate amount of projected cost savings included in any four-quarter period shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA; and minus

(9) non-recurring or non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, in each case on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (2) through (5) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary of a Person will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDA of such Person only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person.

Consolidated Income Taxes” means, with respect to any Person for any period, taxes imposed upon such Person or other payments required to be made by such Person by any governmental authority which taxes or other payments are calculated by reference to the income or profits of such Person or such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent such income or profits were included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period), regardless of whether such taxes or payments are required to be remitted to any governmental authority.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total interest expense of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense:

(1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations, the interest portion of rent expense associated with Attributable Indebtedness in respect of the relevant lease giving rise thereto, determined as if such lease were a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP, and the interest component of any deferred payment obligations;

(2) amortization of debt discount (provided that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense and provided, further, that amortization of deferred and other financing fees and expenses and gains or losses related to debt modifications and extinguishments shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense);

(3) non-cash interest expense (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations and other derivative instruments);

(4) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

(5) the interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person (excluding RS Cogen) that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(6) net costs associated with Hedging Obligations (including amortization of fees); provided, however, that if Hedging Obligations result in net benefits rather than costs, such benefits shall be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such net benefits are otherwise reflected in Consolidated Net Income;

(7) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;

(8) the product of (a) all dividends paid or payable, in cash or otherwise or accrued during such period on any series of preferred stock of such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries payable to a party other than the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than

 

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Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state, provincial and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP;

(9) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Indebtedness incurred by such plan or trust; provided, however, that there will be excluded therefrom any such interest expense of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the related Indebtedness is not guaranteed or paid by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and less

(10) to the extent included in such interest expense, payments in respect of the OMERS Lease.

For purposes of the foregoing, total interest expense will be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Hedging Obligations during the applicable period but excludes non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any transaction (including, without limitation, any Qualified Receivables Transaction) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer or grant a security interest in any Receivables or Related Assets will be included in Consolidated Interest Expense.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the portion of such net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests) for such period determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

(a) subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, such Person’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash which could have been distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below); and

(b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income to the extent such loss has been funded with cash from the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) any net income (but not loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company or a Guarantor, except that:

(a) subject to the limitations contained in clauses (3), (4) and (5) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

(b) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

 

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(3) any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any transaction pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells property to another Person and the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries leases such property from that Person but excluding sales, transfers or other dispositions in connection with Qualified Receivables Transactions) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

(4) any extraordinary gain or loss;

(5) any unrealized gain or loss attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments;

(6) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of equity, performance shares, stock options or other rights of officers, directors or employees;

(7) any gain (loss) realized upon the redemption, repurchase or retirement of Indebtedness; and

(8) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of determination that constitutes the 9% Notes, the Credit Agreements or any other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien, any Capital Lease Obligations or any “net investment” or similar construct under any Qualified Receivables Transaction to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are available in each case with such pro forma adjustments to such consolidated total Indebtedness and Consolidated EBITDA as are consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, licenses, copyrights and other intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis, as would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

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Credit Agreements” means (a) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the Merger Date by and among the GGC, certain Subsidiaries of GGC, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time and (b) the Spico Term Loan Agreement.

Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements), commercial paper facilities or indentures, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders, trustees or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes 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 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto 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 Noncash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Noncash Consideration.

Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

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Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

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).

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

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble of this Indenture.

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

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

Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date, other than under the Credit Agreements and this Indenture.

Existing Senior Notes” means the 9% Notes.

Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

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

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date (provided that for purposes of calculating Restricted Payment capacity, Consolidated Net Income for periods prior to the Issue Date shall be based on such accounting principles as in effect at the time the related financial statements were issued). At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture); provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, any calculation or determination in this Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Issuer’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes.

GGC” means Georgia Gulf Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

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Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, the Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

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, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

Guarantors” means each of:

(1) the Issuer’s Domestic Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture;

(2) any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and

(3) upon consummation of the Merger and the execution of the supplemental indenture by GGC, GGC and any other Restricted Subsidiary of GGC (other than the Issuer) that executes a Note Guarantee from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture,

and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that no Receivables Entity shall be a Guarantor at any time.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered as set forth in the register maintained by the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, including without duplication (and excluding accrued expenses and trade payables):

(1) the principal and premium, if any, in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money

 

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(2) the principal and premium, if any, in respect of obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;

(3) the principal component of obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto);

(4) indebtedness representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5) indebtedness representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6) net obligations under any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing (x) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business shall not constitute Indebtedness, and (y) the incurrence of Indebtedness (i) by a Receivables Entity in a Qualified Receivables Transaction that is without recourse to the Company or to any other Subsidiary of the Company or their respective assets (other than such Receivables Entity and its assets and, as to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings) and is not guaranteed by any such Person, or (ii) by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings shall not constitute Indebtedness. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) (other than, in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, indebtedness of RS Cogen, which shall not constitute Indebtedness) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person (other than, in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, indebtedness of RS Cogen, which shall not constitute Indebtedness) shall include Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

(1) such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Joint Venture”);

(2) such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a “General Partner”); and

(3) there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

(a) the lesser of (i) the net assets of the General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

(b) if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent actually paid by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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

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

Initial Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble of this Indenture.

Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and such other initial purchasers party to the purchase agreement entered into in connection with an offer and sale of Notes.

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 an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

Issue Date” means January 30, 2013.

Issuer” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble of this Indenture.

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer).

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest 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.

 

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Merger” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Issuer pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with the Issuer surviving the merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of GGC.

Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 18, 2012, by and among PPG, the Issuer, GGC and Merger Sub.

Merger Date” means January 28, 2013.

Merger Sub” means Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc., a subsidiary of GGC.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, the amount of any distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures as a result of such Asset Sale, the deduction of amounts required to be provided by the seller as a reserve (in accordance with GAAP) against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such Asset Sale, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreements or the 9% Notes, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

9% Notes” means the Company’s 9% senior secured notes due 2017.

non-guarantor Subsidiaries” means the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Issuer) that are not Guarantors.

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender; and

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity.

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

Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee of the Notes by the Guarantors.

 

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Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.

Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by two Officers of such Person, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.

OMERS Leases” means those certain leases, dated March 29, 2007, by and among OMERS Realty Corporation, as landlord, Royal Group, Inc., as tenant, and GGC, as indemnifier, as amended, restated or modified from time to time.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

Original Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble of this Indenture.

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

Permitted Business” means any business that is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5) any acquisition of assets, Capital Stock or other Investments made solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(6) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of:

(a) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or

(b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

 

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(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8) repurchases of the Notes (including Note Guarantees);

(9) Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Permitted Joint Venture, so long as:

(a) such Permitted Joint Venture does not have any Indebtedness for borrowed money at the time of such Investment (or contemplated to be incurred contemporaneously with such Investment) (other than Indebtedness owing to the equity holders of such Permitted Joint Venture, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary);

(b) such Permitted Joint Venture is engaged only in a Permitted Business; and

(c) after giving pro forma effect to such Investment, the Company would be permitted to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(10) Investments in any Person (including any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whose principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating a facility, a primary purpose of which is the generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production (or with the intent to convert or modify to the generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $700.0 million; provided that for the avoidance of doubt such investments shall include any “condo cracking” arrangements;

(11) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are reasonably expected at the time of such advances to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business and other reasonable fees, compensation, benefits and indemnities paid or entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to or with officers, directors or employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(12) loans or advances to employees (other than executive officers) of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(13) Investments in existence on the Issue Date;

(14) a Receivables Entity or any Investment by a Receivables Entity in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Transaction or any related Indebtedness;

 

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(15) Guarantees to third parties to the extent that such Guarantees are incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

(16) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business of the Company;

(17) Investments consisting of the purchase of TCI Interests after the Issue Date; provided that TCI shall be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary immediately upon consummation of such Investment; and

(18) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $250.0 million and 9.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

Permitted Joint Venture” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which 50% 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 Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

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

(a) 50% 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 Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise; and

(b) either such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or no other Person controls such entity.

Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit Facilities and/or securing Hedging Obligations or Treasury Management Agreements related thereto incurred pursuant to clauses (1), (8), (15) and (16) of the definition of Permitted Debt;

(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

 

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(4) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in respect of the 9% Notes);

(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(9) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(10) survey exceptions, ground leases, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or building codes or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(11) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (3), (4), (6), (7) and (15) permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

(a) the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(12) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, 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 or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(13) Liens incurred under leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(14) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default; provided that such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which 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;

(15) Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other payments incurred to finance the acquisition, improvement or construction of, assets or property (other than the acquisition of Capital Stock or all or substantially all of the assets of a Person) provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and

(b) such Liens are created within 180 days of construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

(16) any interest or title of a lessor under any Capital Lease Obligation or operating lease;

(17) any Liens securing Hedging Obligations related to Indebtedness so long as such Indebtedness is, and is permitted under this Indenture to be, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(18) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided that:

(a) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

(b) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

(19) Liens of a collection bank arising under the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the ordinary course of collection;

(20) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(21) Liens securing Indebtedness or other Obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(22) 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;

(23) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(24) Liens on Receivables and Related Assets of (a) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) a Receivables Entity, in each case in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

(25) Liens securing Indebtedness or other Obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Indebtedness does not exceed the greater of $100.0 million and 3.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding;

(26) Liens on the assets of non-guarantor Subsidiaries to secure the Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09(b)(13); and

(27) Liens securing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a); provided, however, that, at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness and after giving pro forma effect thereto and the application of proceeds thereof, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.0.

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3) if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

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

“PPG” means PPG Industries, Inc.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) 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 Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sells, conveys or otherwise transfers to (i) a Receivables Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and (ii) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Entity), or grants a security interest in and/or pledge, any Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any Related Assets, which transfer, grant of security interest or pledge is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of Indebtedness, fractional undivided interests, or other securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such Receivables and Related Assets or interests in Receivables and Related Assets, it being understood that a Qualified Receivables Transaction may involve:

(1) one or more sequential transfers or pledges of the same Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, and

(2) periodic transfers or pledges of Receivables and/or revolving transactions in which new Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein, are transferred or pledged upon collection of previously transferred or pledged Receivables and Related Assets, or interests therein; provided that the Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Transaction is economically fair and reasonable to the Company.

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreements shall not be deemed to be a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

Ratings Decline Period” means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention the Company or a shareholder of the Company, as applicable, to effect a Change of Control or (b) the occurrence thereof and (ii) ends 90 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as noted by the applicable Rating Agency during such period ending 90 days following consummation of such Change of Control, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency as a result in whole or in part of such Change of Control.

 

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Receivables” means accounts receivable (including all rights to payment created by or arising from the sale of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services, no matter how evidenced (including in the form of chattel paper) and whether or not earned by performance) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now existing or arising in the future.

Receivables Entity” means a Person (which may or may not be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company) formed for the purposes of engaging in a Qualified Receivables Transaction with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that (i) engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Receivables and Related Assets and any business or activities incidental or related thereto and (ii) is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Receivables Entity; provided that:

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other Obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person:

(a) is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding guarantees of Obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings);

(b) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than such Person if a Subsidiary of the Company) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

(c) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than property and assets of such Person and Receivables and Related Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(2) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding with such Person other than on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable; and

(3) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or cause such Person to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

“Redemption Date” means any date on which Notes are redeemed in accordance with Section 3.07.

Registration Rights Agreement” means a registration rights agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

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

 

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Regulation S 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 903 of Regulation S.

Related Asset” means, with respect to any Receivables in a Qualified Receivables Transaction:

(1) any interests in such Receivables;

(2) all collateral securing such Receivables;

(3) all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, security interests, financing statements or other documentation in respect of such Receivables;

(4) any Guarantees, indemnities, warranties or other obligations in respect of such Receivables;

(5) any other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable similar to such Receivables; and

(6) any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing.

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing 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.

Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

RS Cogen” means RS Cogen, L.L.C.

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 Ratings Group.

 

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SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

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

Significant Subsidiary” means any 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.

Spinco Dividend” means the distribution on the Merger Date by the Issuer to PPG and/or one or more of its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, of approximately $900.0 million in cash or a combination of cash and the Original Notes.

Spinco Term Loan Agreement” means that certain credit agreement, dated on the Merger Date, by and among the Issuer, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and as amended, restated or modified from time to time.

Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, repurchase obligations and indemnities entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction and that are reasonably customary for a seller or servicer of Receivables in a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the Issue Date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Note Guarantee (for the avoidance of doubt, no Indebtedness shall be considered to be subordinated solely by virtue of being unsecured).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

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(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

TCI” means Taiwan Chlorine Industries, Ltd., a Taiwanese company.

TCI Interests” means the Equity Interests of TCI.

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

Transactions” means, collectively, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the consummation of the Spinco Dividend, the issuance of the Notes and the Merger and all other transactions in connection therewith or related thereto described in or contemplated by GGC’s registration statement on Form S-4 (Reg No. 333-183724) as declared effective by the SEC.

Treasury Management Agreement” means any agreement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

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 February 15, 2018; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to February 15, 2018, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Trustee” means U.S. Bank National Association, 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 Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the relevant jurisdiction from time to time. Unless otherwise specified, references to the Uniform Commercial Code herein refer to the New York Uniform Commercial Code.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any:

(1) Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(a) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

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(b) except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that would reasonably be expected to be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(c) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition; and

(d) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2) Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

provided that, in the case of a Subsidiary of the Company whose principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating a facility, a primary purpose of which is the generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production (or with the intent to convert or modify to the cracking, generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production), such Subsidiary (i) shall not be subject to clause (1)(a) above so long as the percentage of credit support provided by or direct or indirect liability of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Indebtedness and (ii) shall not be subject to clause (1)(c) above so long as the percentage of the obligation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or maintain or preserve financial condition is, in each case, less than or equal to the Company’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s percentage ownership of the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal under the heading “Exchange Rates” on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.

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

Voting Stock” of any specified 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 at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 
Additional Obligor      4.16   
Affiliate Transaction      4.11   
Asset Sale Offer      4.10   
Authentication Order      2.02   
Change of Control Offer      4.15   
Change of Control Payment      4.15   
Change of Control Payment Date      4.15   
Covenant Defeasance      8.03   
Covenant Termination Event      4.18   
DTC      2.03   
Event of Default      6.01   
Excess Proceeds      4.10   
incur      4.09   
Legal Defeasance      8.02   
Notes Documents      7.01   
Offer Amount      3.09   
Offer Period      3.09   
Paying Agent      2.03   
Permitted Debt      4.09   
Payment Default      6.01   
Purchase Date      3.09   
Registrar      2.03   
Restricted Payments      4.07   
Successor Company      5.01   
Successor Issuer      5.01   

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Notes;

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 Note Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

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

 

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Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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

(8) whenever in this Indenture or the Notes there is referenced, in any context, interest payable under or with respect to any Notes, such reference shall be deemed to include Additional Interest, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable in respect thereof.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01. Form and Dating.

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

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, the Guarantors 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.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will 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 will 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 will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding 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 appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase

 

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or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will 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.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or facsimile signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer of the Issuer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate (i) Original Notes for original issue on the Merger Date in an aggregate principal amount of $668,000,000, (ii) pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange Notes for issue only in exchange for a like principal amount of Original Notes and (iii) subject to compliance with Section 4.09, one or more series of Additional Notes for original issue (such Notes to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A) in an unlimited amount (and if issued with a Private Placement Legend, the same principal amount of exchange notes in exchange therefor upon consummation of an exchange offer for such Additional Notes). In addition, each such Authentication Order shall specify the principal amount of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether the securities are to be Original Notes, Exchange Notes or Additional Notes (or exchange notes in respect of Additional Notes) and the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding on the date of authentication, and shall further specify the principal amount of such Notes to be issued as Global Notes or Definitive Notes. Such Original Notes shall initially be in the form of one or more Definitive Notes, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Original Notes to be issued. Upon issuance of a subsequent Authentication Order and delivery of appropriate transfer certificates as of the Merger Date, such Original Note in definitive form referenced above shall be cancelled and exchanged for Definitive Notes registered in such names as directed by the Issuer. Upon issuance of a subsequent Authentication Order so specifying on the Issue Date, such Original Notes referenced in the preceding sentence shall be cancelled and exchanged for Original Notes in the form of one or more Global Notes which (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Original Notes previously issued, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction. All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and no series of Notes shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

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 will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment

 

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(“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. 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 agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will 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 act as such. The Issuer or any of its 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 when issued.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes when issued.

Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuer will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and will 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 Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will 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 will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05. Holder Lists.

The Trustee will 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 TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee at least seven 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 of Notes and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes are exchangeable for Definitive Notes only if:

(1) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer;

(2) the Issuer in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee;

 

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(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default with respect to the Notes; or

(4) the Issuer otherwise so determines

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. 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. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will 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 will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1) 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, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). 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)(1).

(2) 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)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

(i) 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

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) both:

(i) 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

(ii) 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.

 

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Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with Section 2.06(f) below, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes (or delivered in accordance with Applicable Procedures). 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.

(3) 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)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

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

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 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.

(4) 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)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a 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 (or is deemed to certify in accordance with Applicable Procedures) in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes (or in the case of Additional Notes, exchange notes) or (3) a Person who is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a shelf registration statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement);

 

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(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer registration statement) and such broker-dealer complies with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement); or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) 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 in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii) 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.

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

(1) 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 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 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 to the effect set forth in 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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

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

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in 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 deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate 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 deliver 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)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) 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 if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a 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 (or is deemed to certify in accordance with Applicable Procedures) in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes (or in the case of Additional Notes, exchange notes) or (3) a Person who is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a shelf registration statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement);

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer registration statement) and such broker-dealer complies with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement); or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) 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 in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii) 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 in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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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.

(3) 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 satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver 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)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

(1) 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 Notes 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 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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in 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 to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

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

(2) 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 the Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a 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 (or is deemed to certify in accordance with Applicable Procedures) in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes (or in the case of Additional Notes, exchange notes) or (3) a Person who is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a shelf registration statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement);

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer registration statement) and such broker-dealer complies with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement); or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) 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 in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii) 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 in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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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 any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3) 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 will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

(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 will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must 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 must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1) 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 will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will 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; and

(C) if the transfer will 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, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2) 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 the Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a 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 (or is deemed to certify in accordance

 

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with Applicable Procedures) in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes (or in the case of Additional Notes, exchange notes) or (3) a Person who is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a shelf registration statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement);

(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer registration statement) and such broker-dealer complies with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a registration rights agreement); or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

(ii) 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 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.

(3) 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 (or in the case of Additional Notes, an exchange offer) in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement (or in the case of Additional Notes, a 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 and (ii) subject to Section 2.06(a), Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer (or in the case of Additional Notes, 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 Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Restricted Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amounts.

 

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(g) Legends. The following legends will 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.

(1) 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:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES, AND 40 DAYS IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES, AFTER THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF OR SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED UNDER RULE 144 OR REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISIONS THEREOF, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“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 (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) 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 COMPANY 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.”

(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 canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled 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 will 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 will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will 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 will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will 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.

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer will execute and the Trustee will 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.

 

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(2) No service charge will 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 Company 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 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will 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.

(5) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer will 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;

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6) 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 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.

(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8) 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 Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuer and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will 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 may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

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Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and will 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 canceled 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 an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Issuer, the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

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.

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 Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will 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, the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with Issuer, the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

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, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11. Cancellation.

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer will 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. The Issuer will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 10 days before the 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) will deliver to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 35 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

 

  (1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

  (2) the Redemption Date;

 

  (3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

  (4) the redemption price.

Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of such Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or, if such Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot or such similar method in accordance with the procedures of DTC; provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased or redeemed in part.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date or Purchase Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to

 

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be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deliver a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be purchased or redeemed at such Holder’s registered address.

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

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note 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 will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

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

(6) 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;

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

(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the Redemption Date, an Officers’ 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.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

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Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

On or prior to the Redemption Date or Purchase Date, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date or Purchase Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest 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 or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase 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 or Purchase Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest 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 or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to February 15, 2018, the Issuer may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) On or after February 15, 2018, the Issuer may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2018

     102.313

2019

     101.156

2020 and thereafter

     100.000

Unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest and Additional Interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.

 

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

Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.

Except to the extent that the Issuer may be required to offer to purchase the Notes pursuant to Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof, the Issuer is not required to make mandatory repurchase, redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer is required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) in accordance with Section 4.10. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest will 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 will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer will deliver notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1) 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 will remain open;

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

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

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

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

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

 

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(7) that Holders will 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 expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, 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;

(8) if applicable, that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuer will select the Notes and other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuer so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Issuer, will authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.

The Issuer will 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 will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern 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 all Additional Interest (if any) in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will 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.

 

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Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer will maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer will 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 fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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. The Issuer will 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 of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03. Reports.

(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 will file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders of the Notes (without exhibits), without cost to each Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC), provided that this provision will be deemed to have been satisfied with respect to any reports, filings and other information that is available on the SEC’s EDGAR system),

(i) within 90 days (or the successor time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act) 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 (or the successor time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act) after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q, containing the information required to be contained therein, or any successor or comparable form;

(iii) within the time periods specified under the Exchange Act 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;

(iv) and any other information, documents and other reports which the Issuer would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

provided that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Issuer will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, in

 

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each case within 15 days after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC, if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act by posting such information to a publicly accessible page on the Issuer’s website.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its agreements under this covenant for purposes of clause (4) under Section 6.01 hereof until 120 days after the date any report hereunder is required to be filed with the SEC (or posted in the Issuer’s website) pursuant to this covenant.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer is or becomes a Guarantor of the Notes, the financial statements, information and other documents required to be provided as described above may be those of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided that, if the financial information so furnished relates to such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, the same includes a footnote containing consolidating financial information if required by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers they would normally have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within 10 Business Days after any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; provided that no such notice need be provided if such Default or Event of Default is cured prior to the time such notice is required to be delivered.

Section 4.05. Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will 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 Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and

 

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covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07. Restricted Payments.

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

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends, distributions or payments payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) make any principal payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value or give any irrevocable notice of redemption with respect to any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and giving of an irrevocable notice of redemption with respect to transactions described in clause (2) or (3) of Section 4.07(b)), except a payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value within one year of the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since December 22, 2009 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (15) of paragraph (b) of this Section 4.07), is less than the sum, without duplication of:

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2010 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

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(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company since December 22, 2009 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than a contribution made by or Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

(C) without duplication, the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred after December 22, 2009 is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon its conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) into or for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property, distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); plus

(D) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after December 22, 2009 is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, 100% of the net cash proceeds therefrom; plus

(E) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after December 22, 2009 is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after December 22, 2009, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation; plus

(F) any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after December 22, 2009 from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

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

(1) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (3)(B) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

 

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(3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(5) the repurchase or other retirement of Equity Interests to occur in respect of the exercise, vesting or award of Equity Interests to employees or other qualified recipients made for compensation purposes, to the extent such Equity Interests so repurchased or retired represent the exercise price in respect of stock options, or the reduction in Equity Interests to account for payments in respect of withholding, income or similar taxes, paid by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of such employees or other qualified recipients;

(6) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with the Consolidated Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(7) any Qualified Receivables Transaction (including transfers of Receivables between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any Receivables Entity, transfers by any Receivables Entity to any other Person and payments of amounts pursuant to such Qualified Receivables Transaction) and any distribution or payment of purchase price, commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any transaction (including, without limitation, any Qualified Receivables Transaction) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer or grant a security interest in any Receivables or Related Assets of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction”;

(8) the repurchase of Receivables by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other payment obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(9) loans or advances to employees or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the proceeds of which are used to purchase Equity Interests of the Company, in an aggregate amount not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(10) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor in accordance with provisions similar to Section 4.15 hereof and Section 4.10 hereof; provided that prior to or simultaneously with such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company has made the Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, as provided in such covenant with respect to the Notes and has completed the repurchase or redemption of all Notes validly tendered for payment (after giving effect to any proration provisions in such covenant) in connection with such Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer;

(11) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Disqualified Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(12) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed the sum of (A) $10.0 million during any calendar year (with unused amounts being available to be used in the following calendar year, but not in any succeeding calendar year) plus (B) the amount of any net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company from the issuance and sale after the Issue Date of Equity Interests of the Company to its officers, directors or employees that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (12), plus (C) the net cash proceeds of any “key-man” life insurance policies that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (12);

(13) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the declaration and payment of dividends to the holders of common stock of the Company and/or the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests of the Company pursuant to a repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors; provided that the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid for all such dividends, purchases, repurchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements shall not exceed $150.0 million during any fiscal year;

(14) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million since the Issue Date; and

(15) Restricted Payments made as part of the Transactions.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) the Fair Market Value of any property received in connection with the Transactions and (ii) GGC’s redemption of its 10.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 shall be excluded for purposes of calculating the Restricted Payment capacity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.07(a).

Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or

 

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measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the priority of any preferred stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions paid on common stock shall not be deemed to be a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock);

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

(1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement as in effect at the Issue Date, including agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(2) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to any agreement governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such encumbrances and restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those permitted by clause (1) of this Section 4.08(b);

(3) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(4) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(5) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of any such instrument by such Person; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in any such instrument on the date of acquisition; provided further that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(6) customary encumbrances or restrictions (i) on the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or similar contract that was entered into in the ordinary course of business, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease, license or other contract, (ii) contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements permitted under

 

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this Indenture to secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) pursuant to provisions restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(7) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3) hereof;

(8) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(9) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(10) Liens permitted to be incurred under Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(11) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements, which limitation is applicable only to the assets or property that are the subject of such agreements;

(12) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, manufacturing alliance agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, so long as such encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person (or its property or assets) other than such joint venture or a Subsidiary thereof or the assets used exclusively in such manufacturing alliance, as applicable;

(13) Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Receivables Entity or any Standard Securitization Undertakings, in each case in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to such Receivables Entity, Receivables and Related Assets;

(14) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth under leases or other contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(15) Indebtedness of non-guarantor Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09 that impose restrictions solely on the non-guarantor Subsidiaries party thereto.

Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company will not, and will 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, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue preferred stock, if the Company’s Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be

 

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at least 2.0 to 1.0, 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 the preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Restricted Subsidiary preferred stock (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $500.0 million, less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date to repay any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility incurred in reliance on this clause (1) or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility incurred in reliance on this clause (1) and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder to the extent required by Section 4.10 hereof or (y) the Borrowing Base as of the date of such incurrence;

(2) Existing Indebtedness other than Indebtedness in existence under clauses (1) and (3) and (16) of this Section 4.09(b) on the Issue Date;

(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees issued on the Issue Date and the Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued in exchange therefor pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money or other obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding, including all indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 5.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clause (2), (3), (4), (5), (12), (13) or (15) of this Section 4.09(b);

(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(a) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and

 

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(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

(7) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that:

(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

will be deemed, in each case, at the time of such subsequent issuance, sale or transfer to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7);

(8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(9) the Guarantee by the Company or any Restrictive Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that, in the case of a Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Restricted Subsidiary complies with Section 4.16;

(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business;

(11) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

(12) (x) Acquired Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) Indebtedness incurred to finance an acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (x) and (y), on the date of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either (a) the Company would have been able to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, or (b) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to the acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (12);

(13) the incurrence by non-guarantor Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (13), including all indebtedness incurred to

 

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renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (13), not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 5.5% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of such non-guarantor Subsidiaries;

(14) the incurrence of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition; and

(15) the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding, including all indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (15), not to exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 5.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; and

(16) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness under the Spinco Term Loan Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $212.0 million.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (16) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture (after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes, the application of the proceeds thereof and the incurrence of any Indebtedness under Credit Facilities on such date) will initially be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) (and in the case of the Spinco Term Loan Agreement, clause (16)) of the definition of Permitted Debt.

The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company as accrued. For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness to be incurred is denominated in a different currency, (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (2) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in the same currency as the Indebtedness being refinanced, the principal amount thereof shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness being refinanced, except to the extent that the principal amount of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such excess principal amount shall be determined on the date such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values subsequent to the incurrence of such Indebtedness.

 

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(c) The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2) principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

(a) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

(b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

Section 4.10. Asset Sales.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Company (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 (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash;

(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to customary terms and conditions that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

(c) any Designated Noncash Consideration having an aggregate fair market value that, when taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration previously received and then outstanding, does not exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 3.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being determined in good faith by the Company and measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and

(d) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (ii) or (iv) of the next paragraph of this covenant.

 

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Within 365 days after the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

(i) to repay, prepay or purchase Indebtedness and other Obligations (other than Disqualified Stock, Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee or any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(ii) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(iii) to make a capital expenditure; or

(iv) to acquire properties or to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business;

provided that in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment; provided further that if such commitment is later terminated or cancelled prior to the application of such Net Proceeds, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise use the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not (i) applied or invested as provided in the second paragraph of this covenant (which may be, at the Company’s determination, prior to expiration of the 365 day period) or (ii) otherwise subject to an asset sale offer pursuant to the terms of any secured Indebtedness (in which event such Net Proceeds will not constitute Excess Proceeds until the asset sale offer provisions of such secured Indebtedness are complied with and then only to the extent of Net Proceeds remaining after consummation of such asset sale offer) will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” Within 10 business days after the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $65.0 million, the Issuer will make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes and is also unsecured containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount thereof of Notes and such other pari passu and unsecured Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

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The Issuer will 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 and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company will not, and will 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 Company (each an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with Section 4.11(a)(1) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4) payment of fees to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;

(6) Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

(7) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries on the one hand and a Receivables Entity on the other hand, or transactions between a Receivables Entity and any Person in which the Receivables Entity has an Investment, in each case effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

 

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(8) transactions between the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and PPG and its subsidiaries in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications, renewals, supplements or replacements; provided that such amendments, modifications, renewals, supplements or replacements are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, than the transactions in effect on the Issue Date;

(9) transactions involving or relating to TCI and RS Cogen;

(10) any transaction or series of transactions involving aggregate consideration of $5.0 million or less;

(11) loans or advances to employees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and

(12) the transactions comprising the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions.

Section 4.12. Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on any of their properties or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under this Indenture and the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Section 4.13. Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.14. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 and Section 10.05 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership 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) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided however that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes; provided further that the Company and any of the Subsidiaries may merge in accordance with Sections 5.01 and 10.05 hereof, as applicable.

 

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Section 4.15. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer will make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer will deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions and identifying the ratings decline that together constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and stating:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

(2) the purchase price and the Purchase Date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

(4) 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 will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent 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;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Issuer will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Sections 3.09 or 4.15 hereof, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful:

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Issuer.

The Paying Agent will promptly deliver (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (1) 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 Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof prior to the latest date by which such Change of Control Offer must be sent, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, contingent upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.

Section 4.16. Additional Note Guarantees.

If, on or after the Merger Date (unless such acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary is properly designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary):

(1) the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary that incurs any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreements, any syndicated loan or capital markets Indebtedness or Guarantees any such Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries; or

(2) any Domestic Subsidiary of the Company incurs Indebtedness under the Credit Agreements, any syndicated loan or capital markets Indebtedness or Guarantees any such Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries, and that Domestic Subsidiary was not a Guarantor immediately prior to such incurrence or Guarantee (an “Additional Obligor”),

(i) then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary or Additional Obligor, as the case may be, shall become a Guarantor and Guarantee the Company’s Obligations in respect of the Notes and (ii) execute a supplemental indenture and deliver an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Trustee within 30 days after the date on which it was acquired or created (to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by that Domestic Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that Domestic Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions)) or incurred, as the case may be; provided that no Receivables Entity will be required to become a Guarantor at any time.

 

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Section 4.17. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Except after a Covenant Termination Event, the Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary (other than TCI) is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a Default.

As of the Merger Date, TCI is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than TCI) will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.18. Termination of Certain Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade.

If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Termination Event”), then, beginning on that day, the following covenants will cease to apply and will not be later reinstated even if one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating:

(1) Section 4.07 hereof;

(2) Section 4.09 hereof;

(3) Section 4.10 hereof;

(4) Section 4.11 hereof;

(5) Section 4.08 hereof; and

(6) Section 5.01(a)(4) hereof.

 

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No Subsidiaries shall be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries following a Covenant Termination Event.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) either:

(A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”);

(2) the Successor Company (if other than the Company) assumes all the Obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture;

(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, (A) the Successor Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (B) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) if the Successor Company is not the Company, each Guarantor shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Note Guarantee shall apply to the Successor Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(6) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture shall comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

 

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(b) Following consummation of the Merger and the execution of a supplemental indenture by GGC, the Issuer will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving corporation) or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person or Persons, unless

(1) either: (a) the Issuer is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made (i) is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Issuer”); provided that, in the case such Person is an entity other than a corporation, such Person will form a wholly owned Subsidiary that is a corporation and cause such Subsidiary to become a co-issuer of the Notes; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists.

In addition, the Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. The provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph will not apply to (1) a merger of the Issuer with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Issuer in another U.S. jurisdiction; (2) any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary; or (3) a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or disposition of assets between or among the Issuer and any non-guarantor Subsidiaries.

(c) This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1) any transaction that comprises the Transactions;

(2) a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another U.S. jurisdiction or solely for the purpose of effecting a name change, provided that the Company is the successor company;

(3) any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(4) a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or disposition of assets between or among the Company and any non-guarator Subsidiaries.

Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company or the Issuer, 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, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” or “Issuer”, as applicable, shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company or the Issuer, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Company or the

 

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Issuer, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or the Issuer, as applicable, herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company or the Issuer, as applicable, shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s or the Issuer’s, as applicable, assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default.

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.15 and 5.01 hereof;

(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Issuer, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $75.0 million or more;

(6) failure by the Company, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $75.0 million (net of any amounts paid by an insurance carrier or bonded), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

 

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(7) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(a) commences a voluntary case,

(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(a) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(b) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(c) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(9) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of GGC or a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary is, or Note Guarantees of a group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary are, held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or cease or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or the Issuer, GGC or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or any Person acting on its or their behalf, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the consummation of the transactions comprising the Transactions comprise or form the basis of an Event of Default.

Section 6.02. Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any

 

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group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

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 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 the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. 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 aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(1) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

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(2) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy with respect to the Notes;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), 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(1) or (2) 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 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. 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 and its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered 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 them for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and 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

 

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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 6.10. Priorities.

Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 3 and any money or other property distributable in respect of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for the 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;

THIRD: without duplication, to Holders for any other Obligations owing to the Holders under this Indenture and the Notes; and

FOURTH: to the Issuer or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 3.10.

Section 6.11. 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, 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 6.11 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% in aggregate 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 will 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:

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth as duties

 

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of the Trustee in this Indenture or the Notes (collectively, the “Notes Documents”) and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) 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, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(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:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will 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 6.05 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) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee will 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.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will 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 will not be responsible for the negligence or willful misconduct of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee will 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 will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

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 Affiliate of the Issuer 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, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) 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 will 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 will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will 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 or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will deliver to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice 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 of the Notes.

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the Issue Date, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will deliver to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also deliver all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its delivered to the Holders of Notes will be delivered by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

 

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Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Issuer will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Issuer and the Trustee may agree upon from time to time in writing. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Issuer and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes the defense of the Trustee and, in the reasonable judgment of outside counsel to the Trustee, there is no conflict of interest between the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to such defense. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will 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 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) 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.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) 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 aggregate 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:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

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(2) 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;

(3) a receiver, custodian or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) Trustee becomes incapable of acting hereunder.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) 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.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will 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 will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will 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 a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 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 any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes 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 each of the Guarantors will, 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 (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will 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 clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article 8.

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.

 

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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 each of the Guarantors will, 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, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, and 4.17 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will 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 will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will 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 will not constitute a Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5), inclusive, hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, if required by the Trustee, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Issuer must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to 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;

(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize

 

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income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income 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;

(4) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes, over the other creditors of the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(7) the Issuer must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance 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 non-callable 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 will 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 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 will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable 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.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, if required by the Trustee, 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(1) 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.

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 or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to 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, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in a newspaper of national circulation, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

Section 8.07. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable 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 Note Guarantees will 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, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer will 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 of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder of Notes:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Issuer or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder in any material respect;

(5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

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(6) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Issuer’s Offering Memorandum dated January 17, 2013, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes;

(7) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

(8) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes (provided that in such case, existing Guarantors need not execute any supplemental indenture);

(9) to secure the Notes or any Note Guarantee; or

(10) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of Notes or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company.

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 will 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 will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuer and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium 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 or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the 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 the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will 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 will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

 

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It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer will deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Issuer with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of, or premium 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 then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the Payment Default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5) make any Note payable in money other than U.S. dollars;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium on the Notes;

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in a amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA 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 amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

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 will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture 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 amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01. Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, intending to be legally bound, jointly and severally, 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:

(1) the principal of, premium and interest on, the Notes will 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 will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

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Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will 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.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their Obligations hereunder are 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 of the Notes 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 except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture. 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 covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) 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 by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will 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, (1) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) 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) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will 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 the Note Guarantee.

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 Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance 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 Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the Obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, 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 Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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Section 10.03. Benefits Acknowledged.

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its Guarantee and waivers pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Issuer or another Guarantor, unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default exists; and

(2) either:

(a) subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, organized or existing under (i) the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (ii) the laws of the same jurisdiction as that Guarantor and, in each case, assumes all the Obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture and its Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture; or

(b) such sale or other disposition, if any, does not violate Section 4.10 hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 10.05. Releases.

Any Guarantor (other than the Company (except in the case of clause (e) below)) will be released and relieved of any Obligations under its Note Guarantee:

(a) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary

 

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of the Company, if the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor complies with Section 4.10; provided, however, that such Guarantor is also released from its Obligations granted in connection with, the Credit Agreements, the 9% Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(b) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition of all such Capital Stock of that Guarantor complies with Section 4.10; provided, however, that such Guarantor is released from its Obligations granted in connection with, the Credit Agreements, the 9% Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) upon the contemporaneous or substantially contemporaneous contemporaneous release or discharge of such Guarantor as a guarantor or borrower in respect of the Credit Agreements or the 9% Notes, except (x) a release, discharge or termination by or as a result of payment under such instrument or (y) to the extent such Guarantor is otherwise required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.16.

(d) if the Company properly designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(e) if the Issuer exercises its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option as described in Sections 8.02 or 8.03 or if its Obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(f) if the Guarantee by such Guarantor, if any, of, and all pledges and security interests, if any, granted by such Guarantor in connection with, all Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary the Guarantee of which by such Guarantor (or the pledge of assets by such Guarantor in connection therewith) would have required such Guarantor to Guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.09 (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements), have been released.

Section 10.06. Additional Guarantors.

Each Person that is required to become a Guarantor after the Merger Date pursuant to Section 4.16 and GGC shall execute and deliver to the Trustee (i) a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized and executed by such Person and constitutes the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such Person (subject to such customary exceptions concerning fraudulent conveyance laws, creditors’ rights and equitable principles).

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and all Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the delivery of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year 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, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

(3) the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ 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 has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

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 acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium) 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

 

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reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium or interest on, any Notes because of 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 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 another provision which is expressly required to be included in this Indenture by reference to the TIA, the provision of the TIA shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any such provision of the TIA, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

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 by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

Eagle Spinco Inc.

115 Perimeter Center Place

Suite 460

Atlanta, Georgia 30346

Facsimile No.: (770) 395-4563

Attention: General Counsel

With a copy to:

Jones Day

1420 Peachtree Street

N.E. Suite 800

Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3053

Facsimile No.: (404) 581-8330

Attention: Mark L. Hanson, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

Two Midtown Plaza

1349 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 1050

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Facsimile No.: (404) 898-2467

Attention: Jack Ellerin

 

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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) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be 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 register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed 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 will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 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 TIA § 312(c).

Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture or the Notes, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must 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, the Notes relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must 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 or the Notes (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

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(2) 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;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

In giving an Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officers’ Certificate.

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 or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 12.08. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer, the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.10. Successors.

All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

 

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Section 12.11. Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.12. Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.13. 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 will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   President
EAGLE HOLDCO 3 LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   Manager
EAGLE US 2 LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   Manager
EAGLE CONTROLLED 2 OHIO SPINCO, INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   President
EAGLE NATRIUM LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   Manager
EAGLE PIPELINE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Johann F. Kolling

  Name:   Johann F. Kolling
  Title:   Vice President, Tax Administration

 

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U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
As Trustee
By:  

/s/ Jack Ellerin

  Name:   Jack Ellerin
  Title:   Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF 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]

 

A-1


EAGLE SPINCO INC.

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

 

   CUSIP NO. [        ]
   ISIN NO. [        ]
No. [        ]    $[        ]

EAGLE SPINCO INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [        ] or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                    ] DOLLARS on February 15, 2021.

Interest Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15

Record Dates: February 1 and August 1

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Dated: [            ], 20[    ]

 

A-2


EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


(Back of Note)

4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. Eagle Spinco Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 4.625% per annum from January 30, 2013 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest (if any) payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be August 15, 2013. The Company will 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 then in effect to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the February 1 or August 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled 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. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will 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, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of January 28, 2013 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. This Note is one of the 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 referred to in the Indenture. 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. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) Except as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph 5, the Company will not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to February 15, 2018. On or after February 15, 2018, the Company

 

A-5


will have the option to redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2018

     102.313

2019

     101.156

2020 and thereafter

     100.000

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest and Additional Interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.

(b) At any time prior to February 15, 2018, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

Except to the extent that the Company may be required to offer to purchase the Notes as set forth in (7) below, the Company is not be required to make mandatory repurchase, redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

(9) REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. The Holders shall be entitled under the Registration Rights Agreement to receive Additional Interest hereon upon other conditions, all pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

(10) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. 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 Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

A-6


(11) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(12) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in case of a merger or consolidation; to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder in any material respect; to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; to conform the text of the Indenture, or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s Offering Memorandum dated January 17, 2013, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the date of the Indenture; to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; to secure the Notes or any Note Guarantee; or to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of Notes or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company.

(13) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. If a Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes generally may declare the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on such Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency as set forth in the Indenture all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes 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 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 the Holders of all of the Notes waive any Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of the Notes or in respect of certain covenants set forth in the Indenture.

(14) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(15) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any of the Guarantors, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

A-7


(16) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(17) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP 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.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Eagle Spinco Inc.

115 Perimeter Center Place

Suite 460

Atlanta, Georgia 30346

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 Company. 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 Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨  Section 4.10             ¨  Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 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 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 Note 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

Eagle Spinco Inc.

115 Perimeter Center Place, Suite 460

Atlanta, Georgia 30346

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

Two Midtown Plaza

1349 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 1050

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Re: 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 28, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Eagle Spinco Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as 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 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the 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. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act 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

 

B-1


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 under the Securities Act, (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 Restricted Period, the transfer 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 will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a Restricted 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 Company 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 will 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 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 will 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-2


(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 will 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-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Date:  

 

 

B-4


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 will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ¨ 144A Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

(b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note.

(c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Eagle Spinco Inc.

115 Perimeter Center Place, Suite 460

Atlanta, Georgia 30346

U.S. Bank National Association

Corporate Trust Services

Two Midtown Plaza

1349 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 1050

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Re: 4.625 % Senior Notes due 2021

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 28, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Eagle Spinco Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as 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 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 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 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 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 Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(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 a 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 will 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 will 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.

 

C-2


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

     

 

      [Insert Name of Transferor]
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:

 

Date:

 

 

     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of             , 20    , among              (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Eagle Spinco Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of January 28, 2013, providing for the issuance of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”);

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 therein and herein (the “Note 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 Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes 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 to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

4. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note 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 of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

5. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.


6. 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.

7. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

8. 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 and the Issuer.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:             , 20[    ]

 

EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-3


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

D-4

EX-4.3 5 d475663dex43.htm EX-4.3 EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

EAGLE SPINCO INC.

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

To the Indenture dated as of January 28, 2013

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “First Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of January 28, 2013, among Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls, LLC, Georgia Gulf Lake Charles, LLC, Royal Mouldings Limited, Royal Window and Door Profiles Plant 13 Inc., Royal Window and Door Profiles Plant 14 Inc., Plastic Trends, Inc., Royal Group Sales (USA) Limited, Rome Delaware Corp., Royal Plastics Group (U.S.A.) Limited, Exterior Portfolio LLC, PHH Monomers, LLC and Georgia Gulf Corporation (renamed or to be renamed Axiall Corporation on the date hereof) (each, a “Guaranteeing Entity” and together, the “Guaranteeing Entities”), Eagle Spinco Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”) to the Indenture (as defined below).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of January 28, 2013, providing for the issuance of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture allows for each Guaranteeing Entity to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Entity shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth therein and herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each Guaranteeing Entity and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes 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 Entity hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Entity, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guaranteeing Entity under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this First Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.


5. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Entities and the Issuer.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: January 28, 2013

 

EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION (renamed or to be renamed AXIALL CORPORATION on the date hereof)
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
GEORGIA GULF CHEMICALS & VINYLS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
GEORGIA GULF LAKE CHARLES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
ROYAL MOULDINGS LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary

 

3


ROYAL WINDOW AND DOOR PROFILES PLANT 13 INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary
ROYAL WINDOW AND DOOR PROFILES PLANT 14 INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary
PLASTIC TRENDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary
ROYAL GROUP SALES (USA) LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary
ROME DELAWARE CORP.
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary
ROYAL PLASTICS GROUP (U.S.A.) LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President and Secretary

 

4


EXTERIOR PORTFOLIO LLC
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Vice President
PHH MONOMERS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

Name:   Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Jack Ellerin

  Authorized Signatory

 

5

EX-4.4 6 d475663dex44.htm EX-4.4 EX-4.4

Exhibit 4.4

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION

(Renamed or to be Renamed AXIALL CORPORATION on the Date Hereof)

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

To the Indenture dated as of December 22, 2009

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Second Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of January 28, 2013, among Eagle Spinco Inc., Eagle Holdco 3 LLC, Eagle US 2 LLC, Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc., Eagle Natrium LLC, Eagle Pipeline, Inc. and PHH Monomers, LLC (each, a “Guaranteeing Subsidiary” and together, the “Guaranteeing Subsidiaries”), subsidiaries of Georgia Gulf Corporation (renamed or to be renamed Axiall Corporation on the date hereof), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”) to the Indenture (as defined below).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as amended as of the date hereof, the “Indenture”), dated as of December 22, 2009, providing for the issuance of 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances each Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth therein and herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Second Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes 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 to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Second Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.


4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

5. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Second Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and the Company.

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: January 28, 2013

 

GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION (renamed or to be

renamed AXIALL CORPORATION on the date hereof)

By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
EAGLE HOLDCO 3 LLC
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
EAGLE US 2 LLC
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary

EAGLE CONTROLLED 2 OHIO

SPINCO, INC.

By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
EAGLE NATRIUM LLC
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary

 

3


EAGLE PIPELINE, INC.
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
PHH MONOMERS, LLC
By:   /s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.
Name:    Timothy Mann, Jr.
Title:   Secretary
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:   /s/ Jack Ellerin
  Authorized Signatory

 

4

EX-10.2 7 d475663dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of January 28, 2013

by and among

EAGLE SPINCO INC.,

as the Borrower,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

for itself, as a Lender and as Administrative Agent,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

for itself, as a Lender and as

Syndication Agent,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

as Co-Documentation Agents

and

THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders

***************************************

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC and

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE I.

THE CREDITS

1.1    Amount and Terms of Commitments    2
1.2    Notes    2
1.3    Interest    2
1.4    Loan Register    3
1.5    Loans    3
1.6    Conversion and Continuation Elections    5
1.7    Optional Prepayments    5
1.8    Repayments and Mandatory Prepayments of Loans    6
1.9    Fees    8
1.10    Termination of Term Commitments    8
1.11    Payments by the Borrower    8
1.12    Payments by the Lenders to Administrative Agent; Settlement    9

ARTICLE II.

CONDITIONS

2.1    Conditions of Borrowing of Loans    11

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1    Corporate Existence and Power    13
3.2    Corporate Authorization; No Contravention    13
3.3    Governmental Authorization    13
3.4    Binding Effect    14
3.5    Litigation    14
3.6    No Default    14
3.7    ERISA Compliance    14
3.8    Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations    15
3.9    Ownership of Property; Liens    15
3.10    Taxes    15
3.11    Financial Condition    15
3.12    Environmental Matters    16
3.13    Regulated Entities    17
3.14    Solvency    17
3.15    Labor Relations    17
3.16    Intellectual Property    17
3.17    Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees    17
3.18    Insurance    17
3.19    Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock    18
3.20    Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office    18
3.21    Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records    18
3.22    Other Financing Documents    18
3.23    Full Disclosure    18
3.24    Foreign Assets Control Regulations and Anti-Money Laundering    18

 

-i-


          Page
3.25    Patriot Act    19
3.26    Security Documents    19

ARTICLE IV.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

4.1    Financial Statements    20
4.2    Certificates, Other Information    21
4.3    Notices    22
4.4    Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.    23
4.5    Maintenance of Property    24
4.6    Insurance    24
4.7    Payment of Taxes and Claims    24
4.8    Compliance with Laws    25
4.9    Inspection of Property and Books and Records    25
4.10    Use of Proceeds    25
4.11    [Reserved]    25
4.12    Maintenance of Ratings    25
4.13    Further Assurances    25
4.14    Environmental Matters    27
4.15    [Reserved]    27
4.16    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries    27
4.17    Post-Closing Matters    28

ARTICLE V.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

5.1    Limitation on Liens    28
5.2    Disposition of Assets    30
5.3    Consolidations, Mergers, etc.    31
5.4    Acquisitions; Loans and Investments    32
5.5    Limitation on Indebtedness    34
5.6    Employee Loans and Transactions with Affiliates    36
5.7    [Reserved]    36
5.8    Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds    37
5.9    Contingent Obligations    37
5.10    Compliance with ERISA    38
5.11    Restricted Payments    38
5.12    Change in Business    39
5.13    Change in Structure    40
5.14    Changes in Accounting, Name or Jurisdiction of Organization    40
5.15    Amendments to Other Financing Documents and Subordinated Indebtedness    40
5.16    No Negative Pledges    40
5.17    OFAC; Patriot Act    41
5.18    Sale-Leasebacks    41
5.19    [Reserved]    41
5.20    [Reserved]    41
5.21    [Reserved]    41
5.22    [Reserved]    41
5.23    Permitted Reorganization    41

 

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          Page

ARTICLE VI.

FINANCIAL COVENANT

6.1    Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio    41

ARTICLE VII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1    Events of Default    42
7.2    Remedies    44
7.3    Rights Not Exclusive    44

ARTICLE VIII.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

8.1    Appointment and Duties    44
8.2    Binding Effect    46
8.3    Use of Discretion    46
8.4    Delegation of Rights and Duties    46
8.5    Reliance and Liability    46
8.6    Agents Individually    48
8.7    Lender Credit Decision    48
8.8    Expenses; Indemnities; Withholding    49
8.9    Resignation of Agents    50
8.10    Release of Collateral or Guarantors    50
8.11    Additional Secured Parties    51
8.12    The Arrangers, the Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents    51

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1    Amendments and Waivers    51
9.2    Notices    53
9.3    Electronic Transmissions    53
9.4    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies    54
9.5    Costs and Expenses    54
9.6    Indemnity    55
9.7    Marshaling; Payments Set Aside    56
9.8    Successors and Assigns    56
9.9    Assignments and Participations; Binding Effect    56
9.10    Non-Public Information; Confidentiality    59
9.11    Set-off; Sharing of Payments    61
9.12    Counterparts; Facsimile Signature    61
9.13    Severability    61
9.14    Captions    61
9.15    Independence of Provisions    62
9.16    Interpretation    62
9.17    No Third Parties Benefited    62
9.18    Governing Law and Jurisdiction    62
9.19    Waiver of Jury Trial    63
9.20    Entire Agreement; Release; Survival    63

 

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          Page
9.21    Patriot Act    63
9.22    Replacement of Lender    64
9.23    [Reserved]    64
9.24    Creditor-Debtor Relationship    64
9.25    [Reserved]    64
9.26    Actions in Concert    64

ARTICLE X.

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

10.1    Taxes    65
10.2    Illegality    67
10.3    Increased Costs and Reduction of Return    68
10.4    Funding Losses    69
10.5    Inability to Determine Rates    69
10.6    Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans    70
10.7    Certificates of Lenders    70

ARTICLE XI.

DEFINITIONS

11.1    Defined Terms    70
11.2    Other Interpretive Provisions    95
11.3    Accounting Terms and Principles    96
11.4    Payments    96
11.5    [Reserved]    96
11.6    [Reserved]    96
11.7    Pro Forma Calculations    97
11.8    Intecreditor Agreement    97

SCHEDULES:

 

1.1    Term Loan Commitments
3.5    Litigation
3.7    ERISA
3.8    Sources & Uses; Funds Flow Memorandum
3.9    Material Permits
3.10    Tax Returns Under Audit or Examination
3.11(a)    Historical Financial Statements
3.11(b)    Pro Forma Financial Statements
3.11(e)    Projections
3.12    Environmental Matters
3.15    Labor Relations
3.16    Intellectual Property
3.17    Brokers Fees; Transaction Fees
3.18    Insurance
3.19    Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock
3.20    Jurisdictions of Organization; Chief Executive Office
3.22    Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records
3.24    Government Contracts

 

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3.25    Bonding; Licenses
4.17    Post-Closing Matters
5.1    Liens
5.2    Dispositions
5.4    Investments
5.5    Indebtedness
5.6    Transactions with Affiliates
5.9    Contingent Obligations
9.2    Notices
9.9(b)    Competitors
11.1(b)    Immaterial Subsidiaries
11.1(c)    Unrestricted Subsidiaries

EXHIBITS:

 

1.2    Form of Note
1.6    Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
1.7    Form of Notice of Prepayment
2.1    Closing Checklist
4.2(b)    Form of Compliance Certificate
11.1(a)    Form of Assignment
11.1(c)    Form of Notice of Borrowing

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (including all exhibits and schedules hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified and/or restated from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 28, 2013, by and among EAGLE SPINCO INC., a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo” or the “Borrower”) and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, a Delaware corporation (in its individual capacity, “Barclays”), as Administrative Agent for the several financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually each a “Lender”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Axiall Corporation (f/k/a Georgia Gulf Corporation, “Axiall”) intends to acquire (the “PPG Acquisition”) SpinCo and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “PPG Entities”) from PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG”) pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2012, and as may be further amended as of the date hereof (the “PPG Merger Agreement”), by and among SpinCo, PPG, Axiall and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc. and PPG intends to transfer the assets and liabilities related to the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business, including certain subsidiaries of PPG, to SpinCo (the “PPG Separation”) pursuant to that certain Separation Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012 (the “PPG Separation Agreement”), by and between PPG and SpinCo;

WHEREAS, in connection with the PPG Acquisition, Axiall will enter into that certain (i) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time not in violation of this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, the “ABL Credit Agreement”), by and among Axiall, Royal Group Inc., a Canadian federal corporation, the lenders and letter of credit issuers party thereto, SpinCo, GE Capital, as administrative agent, and the other parties from time to time party thereto in an aggregate principal amount of up to $500,0000,000 (the “ABL Facility”) and (ii) indenture, dated as of the date hereof (the “RMT Notes Indenture”), among Axiall, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association and the other RMT Note Documents;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders enter into this Agreement in order to make available to the Borrower hereunder a term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) in the aggregate principal amount of $279,000,000 subject to the terms and conditions herein;

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently with the consummation of the PPG Separation, SpinCo intends to make a cash distribution to PPG consisting of the cash proceeds of the Loans hereunder (the “Special Distribution”; together with transactions contemplated by the PPG Acquisition, the PPG Separation, the ABL Credit Agreement, the RMT Notes and this Agreement, collectively, the “Transactions”);

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the Loans available to the Borrower, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement to (a) finance the Special Distribution and (b) fund certain fees and expenses associated with the funding of the Loans and the Transactions;

WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to secure all of its Obligations under the Loan Documents by granting to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and Lien upon the Collateral which shall be equal and ratable with the Lien securing the Secured Notes;

WHEREAS, subject to the terms hereof, (i) each Subsidiary of the Borrower is willing to guarantee all of the Obligations of the Borrower and to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon all of its Collateral.


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

THE CREDITS

1.1 Amount and Terms of Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained herein, each Lender severally and not jointly agrees to make a Loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in the principal amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule 1.1 (the “Term Loan Commitments”). Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of the Loans may not be reborrowed.

1.2 Notes. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by this Agreement and, if requested by such Lender, a Note made by the Borrower payable to such Lender in an amount equal to such Lender’s Loans then outstanding substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.2 or such other form as may be satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

1.3 Interest.

(a) Subject to subsections 1.3(c) and 1.3(d), each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the date when made at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR or the Base Rate, as the case may be, plus the Applicable Margin. Each determination of an interest rate by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. All computations of fees and interest payable under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed, other than interest in respect of Base Rate Loans that are based upon the “Prime Rate” pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of “Base Rate”, which shall be made on the basis of a 365/366-day year. Interest and fees shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to the last day thereof.

(b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any payment or prepayment of Loans in full.

(c) While any Event of Default exists or is continuing under subsection 7.1(a), 7.1(f) or 7.1(g), the Borrower shall pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the Loans under the Loan Documents from and after the date of occurrence of such Event of Default, at a rate per annum which is determined by adding two percent (2.0%) per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for such Loans (plus LIBOR or the Base Rate, as the case may be). All such interest shall be payable on demand of Administrative Agent.

(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required, for any period for which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for or receiving such payment by the respective Lender would be contrary to the provisions of any law applicable to such Lender limiting the highest rate of interest which may be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Lender, and in such event the Borrower shall pay such Lender interest at the highest rate permitted by applicable law (“Maximum Lawful Rate”); provided, however, that if at any time thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less than the Maximum Lawful Rate, the Borrower shall continue to pay interest hereunder at the Maximum Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, is equal to the total interest that would have been received had the interest payable hereunder been (but for the operation of this paragraph) the interest rate payable since the Closing Date as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

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1.4 Loan Register.

(a) [Reserved].

(b) Administrative Agent, acting as a non-fiduciary Administrative Agent of the Borrower solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this subsection 1.4(b), shall establish and maintain at its address referred to in Section 9.2 (or at such other address as Administrative Agent may notify the Borrower) (A) a record of ownership (the “Register”) in which Administrative Agent agrees to register by book entry the interests (including any rights to receive payment hereunder) of Administrative Agent and each Lender and any assignment of any such interest, obligation or right and (B) accounts in the Register in accordance with its usual practice in which it shall record (1) the names and addresses of the Lenders (and each change thereto pursuant to Sections 9.9 and 9.22), (2) the amount of each Loan and for LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (3) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or paid and (4) any other payment received by Administrative Agent from the Borrower and its application to the Obligations.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including any Notes evidencing such Loans) are registered obligations, the right, title and interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register and no assignment thereof shall be effective until recorded therein. This Section 1.4 and Section 9.9 shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(d) The Credit Parties, Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement. Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for access by the Borrower, Administrative Agent or such Lender during normal business hours and from time to time upon at least one Business Day’s prior notice. No Lender shall, in such capacity, have access to or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender unless otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent.

1.5 Loans.

(a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable Term Loan Commitments; provided that the failure of any Lender to make its Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender). (x) Base Rate Loans comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 or (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of the applicable Term Loan Commitments and (y) the LIBOR Rate Loans comprising any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 or (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of the applicable Term Loan Commitments.

(b) Subject to Article X, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans as the Borrower may request pursuant to Section 1.5(f). Each Lender may at its option make any LIBOR Rate Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time, subject to Section 1.6(c). For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Loans.

 

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(c) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account in New York City as Administrative Agent may designate not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, and Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account as directed by Borrower in the applicable Notice of Borrowing delivered in accordance with Section 1.5(f) maintained with Administrative Agent or, if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.

(d) Unless Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date (in the case of any LIBOR Borrowing), and at least 2 hours prior to the time (in the case of any Base Rate Borrowing), of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of such Loan, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to Administrative Agent at the time of such Loan in accordance with Section 1.5(c), and Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available, then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and the Borrower severally agrees to repay to Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. If such Lender shall repay to Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement, and the Borrower’s obligation to repay Administrative Agent such corresponding amount pursuant to this Section 1.5(d) shall cease.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

(f) Borrowing of the Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable (subject to Section 10.5) written notice delivered to Administrative Agent substantially in the form of a Notice of Borrowing or in a writing in any other form acceptable to Administrative Agent, which notice must be received by Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time) (i) on the date which is one (1) Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing date of Base Rate Loans and (ii) on the day which is three (3) Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing date in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans. Such Notice of Borrowing shall specify:

(i) the aggregate amount of the Borrowing (which shall be in an aggregate minimum principal amount of $5,000,000);

(ii) the requested Borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the Borrowing is to be comprised of LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans; and

(iv) if the Borrowing is to be LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable to such Loans.

 

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(g) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of such Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing.

(h) Unless Administrative Agent is otherwise directed in writing by the Borrower, the proceeds of each requested Borrowing will be made available to the Borrower by Administrative Agent by wire transfer of such amount to the Borrower pursuant to the wire transfer instructions specified on the signature page hereto.

1.6 Conversion and Continuation Elections.

(a) The Borrower shall have the option to (i) request that any Loan be made as a LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) convert at any time all or any part of outstanding Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans, (iii) convert any LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan, subject to Section 10.4, if such conversion is made prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iv) continue all or any portion of any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan upon the expiration of the applicable Interest Period. Any Loan or group of Loans having the same proposed Interest Period to be made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Rate Loan must be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000. Any such election must be made by Borrower by 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the 3rd Business Day prior to (1) the date of any proposed Loan which is to bear interest at LIBOR, (2) the end of each Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans to be continued as such, or (3) the date on which the Borrower wishes to convert any Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan for an Interest Period in such election. If no election is received with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan by 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the 3rd Business Day prior to the end of the Interest Period with respect thereto, that LIBOR Rate Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan at the end of its Interest Period. Borrower must make such election by notice to Administrative Agent in writing, including by Electronic Transmission. In the case of any conversion or continuation, such election must be made pursuant to a written notice (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.6 or in a writing in any other form acceptable to Administrative Agent.

(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof. In addition, Administrative Agent will, with reasonable promptness, notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each determination of LIBOR; provided, that any failure to do so shall not relieve the Borrower of any liability hereunder or provide the basis for any claim against Administrative Agent. All conversions and continuations shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans held by each Lender with respect to which the notice was given.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, after giving effect to any Borrowing, or to any continuation or conversion of any Loans, there shall not be more than seven (7) different Interest Periods in effect.

1.7 Optional Prepayments.

(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least two (2) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as is acceptable to Administrative Agent) prior written notice by Borrower to Administrative Agent (a “Prepayment Notice”), to prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section 1.7 and Section 10.4 and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.7 or such other form as may be satisfactory to Administrative Agent; provided, that LIBOR Loans will be prepayable only on the last day of the applicable Interest Period unless the Borrower pays any related breakage costs pursuant to Section 10.4 (but subject to customary escrow or cash collateral arrangements); provided, further, that each optional prepayment of the Loans shall be in an amount

 

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that is an integral multiple of $1.0 million and not less than $5.0 million, or, if less, the outstanding principal amount of the Loans. Optional partial prepayments of the Loans shall be applied in the manner set forth in subsection 1.8(g).

(b) The notice of any prepayment shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower and Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof and of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. The payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Together with each prepayment under this Section 1.7, the Borrower shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section 10.4.

(c) Repricing Transactions. In the event that, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Borrower (x) makes any prepayment of Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction, or (y) effect any amendment of this Agreement having the effect of a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the Lenders, (I) in the case of clause (x), a prepayment premium of 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being prepaid and (II) in the case of clause (y), a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under this Section 1.7 if the Borrower indicates in its notice that such prepayment is conditional upon and if such prepayment would have resulted from, a refinancing of all of the Loans, which refinancing shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

1.8 Repayments and Mandatory Prepayments of Loans.

(a) Borrower shall repay to Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders (i) on the last Business Day of each of March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such day following the Closing Date, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on the Closing Date (in each case, as such repayment amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 1.8(g)) and (ii) on the Maturity Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding on such date.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Asset Dispositions. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds of any Disposition by a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, such Credit Party shall make prepayments in accordance with this Section 1.8(c) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that:

(i) no such prepayment shall be required under this Section 1.8(c)(i) with respect to (A) the Disposition of property which constitutes an Event of Loss, or (B) Dispositions for fair market value resulting in no more than $10,000,000 in Net Cash Proceeds per Disposition (or series of related Disposition) and less than $50,000,000 in Net Cash Proceeds in any Fiscal Year;

(ii) Net Cash Proceeds of Dispositions shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Responsible Officer to Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds are committed to be reinvested in fixed or capital assets useful to the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries within 12 months following the date of such disposition (which certificate of a Responsible Officer shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided that

 

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if all or any portion of the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds is not actually reinvested within 18 months of the date of such disposition, such unused portion shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment as provided in this Section 1.8(c); provided, further, that if the property subject to such disposition constituted Collateral, then all property purchased pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Collateral Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with Section 4.13;

(iii) to the extent required by the Secured Note Indenture, the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds of a Disposition may be applied to repurchase Secured Notes ratably with prepayment of Loans; and

(iv) to the extent required by the ABL Credit Agreement, the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds of a Disposition of Revolving Priority Collateral may be applied to repay the ABL Facility.

(d) Event of Loss. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the RMT Note Indenture, not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Event of Loss by a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, such Credit Party shall make prepayments in accordance with this Section 1.8(d) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that:

(i) so long as no Default shall then exist or arise therefrom, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that the Borrower shall have delivered a Certificate of a Responsible Officer to Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Credit Party intends to use an amount equal to such proceeds to repair, replace or restore any property in respect of which such Net Cash Proceeds were paid or to reinvest in other fixed or capital assets useful to the business of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, no later than 12 months following the date of receipt of such proceeds; provided that if the property subject to such Event of Loss constituted Collateral under the Collateral Documents, then all property purchased pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Collateral Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with Section 4.13;

(ii) if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds shall not be so applied within 18 months of the receipt of such proceeds, an amount equal to such unused portion shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment as provided in this Section 1.8(d); and

(iii) to the extent required by the ABL Credit Agreement, if the property subject to such Event of Loss constituted Revolving Priority Collateral, the amount of any Net Cash Proceeds of an Event of Loss in respect of such Revolving Priority Collateral may be applied to repay the ABL Facility.

(e) Incurrence of Indebtedness. Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of net cash proceeds from any incurrence of Indebtedness by any Credit Party, other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 5.5, the Borrower shall make prepayments in accordance with this Section 1.8(e) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such net cash proceeds.

(f) Excess Cash Flow. No later than five (5) Business Days after the date on which the financial statements with respect to each Fiscal Year in which an Excess Cash Flow Period occurs are or are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(a) (without giving effect to any grace period applicable

 

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thereto), the Borrower shall make prepayments in accordance with this Section 1.8(f) in an aggregate amount equal to the Applicable ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for the Excess Cash Flow Period then ended minus (B) any voluntary prepayments of Loans pursuant to Section 1.7 during such Excess Cash Flow Period, other than prepayments of Loans that reduced amortization payments scheduled during such Excess Cash Flow Period or prepayments funded with the proceeds of Indebtedness.

(g) Application of Prepayments. Any prepayments pursuant to Section 1.7 shall be applied to scheduled repayments of Loans as Borrower shall request and prepayments pursuant to this Section 1.8 shall be applied to prepay outstanding Loans first in direct order to scheduled repayments due on the next four payments due pursuant to this Section 1.8(a) and second, ratably among the remaining repayments to be made pursuant to this Section 1.8(a). To the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence, amounts prepaid shall be applied first to any Base Rate Loans then outstanding and then to outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans with the shortest Interest Periods remaining. Together with each prepayment under this Section 1.8, the Borrower shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section 10.4.

(h) No Implied Consent. Provisions contained in this Section 1.8 for the application of proceeds of certain transactions shall not be deemed to constitute consent of the Lenders to transactions that are not otherwise permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents.

(i) Discounted Voluntary Prepayments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Borrower shall have the right from time to time to prepay Loans to the applicable Lenders at a discount to the par value of such Loans and on a non pro rata basis (each, a “Discounted Voluntary Prepayment”) pursuant to a Dutch Auction and the procedures described in the definition thereof; provided that (A) any Discounted Voluntary Prepayment shall be offered to all Lenders on a pro rata basis and (B) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate stating that (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the Discounted Voluntary Prepayment (after giving effect to any related waivers or amendments obtained in connection with such Discounted Voluntary Prepayment), (2) each of the conditions to such Discounted Voluntary Prepayment contained in this Section 1.8(i) has been satisfied and (3) the Borrower does not have any MNPI with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that (a) has not been disclosed or made available to the Lenders (other than Lenders that do not wish to receive MNPI with respect to the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) prior to such time and (b) could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material, (i) to a Lender’s decision to participate in any Discounted Voluntary Prepayment or (ii) to the market price of the Loans.

1.9 Fees. The Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent, for Administrative Agent’s own account, fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letter.

1.10 Termination of Term Commitments. The Term Loan Commitments shall expire automatically at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

1.11 Payments by the Borrower.

(a) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by each Credit Party on account of principal, interest, fees and other amounts required hereunder shall be made without set off, recoupment, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be made to Administrative Agent (for the ratable account of the Persons entitled thereto) at the address for payment specified in the signature page hereof in relation to Administrative Agent (or such other address as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify in accordance with Section 9.2), and shall be made in Dollars and by wire transfer or ACH transfer in immediately available funds (which shall be the exclusive means of payment hereunder), no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date due. Any

 

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payment which is received by Administrative Agent later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) may in Administrative Agent’s discretion be deemed to have been received on the immediately succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application during the continuance of an Event of Default of any and all payments in respect of any Obligation and any proceeds of Collateral.

(b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” herein, if any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as the case may be.

(c) Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, during the continuance of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, and shall upon the direction of Required Lenders apply any and all payments received by Administrative Agent in respect of any Obligation in accordance with clauses first through sixth below. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, all amounts collected or received by Administrative Agent after any or all of the Obligations have been accelerated (so long as such acceleration has not been rescinded), including proceeds of Collateral, shall, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, be applied as follows:

first, to payment of costs and expenses, including Attorney Costs, of Administrative Agent payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents and to all obligations owing to Administrative Agent by any Non-Funding Lender under the Loan Documents;

second, to payment of Attorney Costs of Lenders payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under this Agreement;

third, to payment of all accrued unpaid interest on the Obligations and fees owed to Administrative Agent and Lenders;

fourth, to payment of principal of the Obligations;

fifth, to payment of any other amounts owing constituting Obligations; and

sixth, any remainder shall be for the account of and paid to whomever may be lawfully entitled thereto.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category and (ii) each of the Lenders or other Persons entitled to payment shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses third, fourth and fifth above.

1.12 Payments by the Lenders to Administrative Agent; Settlement.

(a) Administrative Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, disburse funds to the Borrower for Loans requested. Each Lender shall reimburse Administrative Agent on demand for all funds disbursed on its behalf by Administrative Agent, or if Administrative Agent so requests, each Lender will remit to Administrative Agent its Commitment Percentage of any Loan before Administrative Agent disburses same to the Borrower. If Administrative Agent elects to require that each Lender make funds available to Administrative Agent prior to disbursement by Administrative Agent to the Borrower, Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender by telephone or fax of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Loan requested by the Borrower no later than the Business Day prior to the

 

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scheduled Borrowing date applicable thereto, and each such Lender shall pay Administrative Agent such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such requested Loan, in same day funds, by wire transfer to Administrative Agent’s account, as set forth on Administrative Agent’s signature page hereto, no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on such scheduled Borrowing date. Nothing in this subsection 1.12(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including the remaining provisions of this Section 1.12, shall be deemed to require Administrative Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Availability of Lender’s Term Loan Commitment. Administrative Agent may assume that each Lender will make its Commitment Percentage of each Loan available to Administrative Agent on the Closing Date. If such Commitment Percentage is not, in fact, paid to Administrative Agent by such Lender when due, Administrative Agent will be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. If any Lender fails to pay the amount of its Commitment Percentage forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately repay such amount to Administrative Agent. Nothing in this subsection 1.12(c) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to require Administrative Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder. To the extent that Administrative Agent advances funds to the Borrower on behalf of any Lender and is not reimbursed therefor on the same Business Day as such advance is made, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to retain for its account all interest accrued on such advance from the date such advance was made until reimbursed by the applicable Lender.

(d) Return of Payments.

(i) If Administrative Agent pays an amount to a Lender under this Agreement in the belief or expectation that a related payment has been or will be received by Administrative Agent from any Credit Party and such related payment is not received by Administrative Agent, then Administrative Agent will be entitled to recover such amount from such Lender on demand without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

(ii) If Administrative Agent determines at any time that any amount received by Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be returned to any Credit Party or paid to any other Person pursuant to any insolvency law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Administrative Agent will not be required to distribute any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will repay to Administrative Agent on demand any portion of such amount that Administrative Agent has distributed to such Lender, together with interest at such rate, if any, as Administrative Agent is required to pay to any Credit Party or such other Person, without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, and Administrative Agent will be entitled to set-off against future distributions to such Lender any such amounts (with interest) that are not repaid on demand.

(e) Non-Funding Lenders. The failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make any Loan or any payment required by it hereunder, or to fund any purchase of any participation to be made or funded by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender (each such other Lender, an “Other Lender”) of its obligations to make such loan or fund the purchase of any such participation on

 

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such date, but neither Administrative Agent nor, other than as expressly set forth herein, any Other Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make a loan, fund the purchase of a participation or make any other payment required hereunder. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, a Non-Funding Lender shall not have any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document or constitute a “Lender” (or be, or have its Loans and Term Loan Commitments, included in the determination of “Required Lenders” or “Lenders directly affected” pursuant to Section 9.1) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document; provided, that the Term Loan Commitment of such Non-Funding Lender shall not be increased or extended without the consent of such Non-Funding Lender. Moreover, for the purposes of determining Required Lenders, the Loans and Term Loan Commitments held by Non-Funding Lenders shall be excluded from the total Loans and Term Loan Commitments outstanding.

(f) Procedures. Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by each Credit Party and each other Secured Party to establish procedures (and to amend such procedures from time to time) to facilitate administration and servicing of the Loans and other matters incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to establish procedures to make available or deliver, or to accept, notices, documents and similar items on, by posting to or submitting and/or completion on, E-Systems.

ARTICLE II.

CONDITIONS

2.1 Conditions of Borrowing of Loans. The obligation of each Lender to make (or be deemed to have made) its Loans hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent:

(a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the Closing Date all of the agreements, documents, legal opinions, instruments and other items set forth on the closing checklist attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

(b) Transactions. (i) The PPG Acquisition will be consummated substantially concurrently in accordance with the PPG Merger Agreement without any amendments, modifications, consents or waivers to any term thereof that is materially adverse to the interests of the Arrangers and the Lenders, taken as a whole. Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that (i) the PPG Separation shall have been consummated in accordance with the PPG Separation Agreement without any amendments, modifications, consents or waivers to any term thereof that is materially adverse to the interests of the Arrangers and the Lenders, taken as a whole; (ii) the RMT Notes shall have been issued in the manner contemplated by the RMT Note Documents and all or a portion of the RMT Notes shall be dividended to PPG substantially concurrently with the making of Loans in satisfaction of the applicable PPG obligations; and (iii) the Special Distribution to be funded by the Loans will be consummated immediately after the making of the Loans;

(c) [Reserved];

(d) Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Borrower shall have paid the fees required to be paid on the Closing Date in the respective amounts specified in Section 1.9 (including the fees specified in the Fee Letter) and other compensation payable to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and shall have reimbursed the Administrative Agents for all fees, costs and expenses of closing presented as of the Closing Date;

 

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(e) Financial Statements. Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements and other financial information (including projections) referred to in Section 3.11;

(f) Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, there will have been no Closing Date Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2011 with respect to the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business;

(g) Solvency Certificate. Substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions, the Lenders shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the solvency of Axiall, SpinCo and each of their respective Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis pro forma for the Transactions as of the Closing Date;

(h) Any representation or warranty (i) by the Borrower in Sections 3.1(a), (b)(ii) and (c), and Sections 3.2(i) 3.2(ii) (as it relates to the Secured Note Indenture only), 3.4, 3.8, 3.13(a), 3.14, 3.27 and 3.28 or (ii) by or about the PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business in the PPG Merger Agreement (to the extent that the breach of such representation or warranty would permit Axiall (or its applicable Affiliate) to not close the PPG Acquisition as a result of such breach) shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date (in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date);

(i) Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information about the Borrower as shall have been reasonably requested in writing at least ten days prior to the Closing Date by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders that they shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Patriot Act; and

(j) After giving effect to the Transactions, Axiall and its Subsidiaries (including SpinCo), shall have outstanding no third party Indebtedness for borrowed money other than the ABL Facility, the Secured Notes, the Loans and the RMT Notes and such other Indebtedness as the Arrangers may approve;

provided that, notwithstanding the use by the Credit Parties of commercially reasonable efforts without undue burden or expense, the failure to create or perfect security interests in the Collateral (except (i) to the extent that a Lien of such Collateral may under applicable law be created by execution and delivery of the Pledge and Security Agreement, (ii) to the extent that a Lien on such Collateral may under applicable law be perfected by the filing a financing statement under the UCC or by filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and (iii) the perfection of Liens in Stock and Stock Equivalents of the Borrower’s domestic Subsidiaries by delivery of stock certificates ) shall not be a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement or the availability of Loans (but shall be required to be satisfied within 90 days of the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion));

provided further that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledge and agree the granting of Liens on the Collateral shall not be a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement or the availability of Loans so long as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are reasonably satisfied that the requirements set forth in the immediately preceding proviso will be satisfied promptly following consummation of the PPG Acquisition.

 

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ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and each Lender that the following are, and after giving effect to the Transactions will be, true, correct and complete (it being understood that (x) references to Credit Parties include Axiall and its Subsidiaries and (y) prior to Axiall and its Subsidiaries becoming party hereto, representations and warranties with respect to them are made to the best knowledge of the Borrower):

3.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries):

(a) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable;

(b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses, authorizations, Permits, consents and approvals to (i) own its assets, carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under, the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing, under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and

(d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law;

except, in each case referred to in clause (b)(i), clause (c) or clause (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties of this Agreement, and by each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of any other Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not and will not:

(i) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents;

(ii) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of, or result in the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any material Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject; or

(iii) violate any Requirement of Law in any material respect.

3.3 Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party of this Agreement, or any other Loan Document except (a) for recordings and filings in connection with the Liens granted to Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents, (b) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (c) in connection with any enforcement

 

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against any Credit Party, any permits or licenses of the Credit Parties that are not assignable or transferrable under any federal or state laws or regulations, or under the terms of any orders or decrees applicable to any Grantor, including without limitation, Title V permits, RCRA treatment, storage and disposal permits, and NPESE discharge permits, and (d) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Person which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

3.5 Litigation. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 3.5, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best knowledge of each Credit Party, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against any Credit Party, any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party or any of their respective Properties which:

(a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

(b) would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein not be consummated as herein provided.

3.6 No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party or the grant or perfection of Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral or the consummation of the Transactions. No Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with all such defaults, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.7 ERISA Compliance. Schedule 3.7 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, a complete and correct list of, and that separately identifies, (a) all Title IV Plans, (b) all Multiemployer Plans and (c) all material Benefit Plans. Each material Benefit Plan, and each trust thereunder (if any), intended to qualify for tax exempt status under Section 401 or 501(a) of the Code or other Requirements of Law has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto, and to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, nothing has occurred which would reasonably be expected to prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification or result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except for those that would not reasonably be expected to result in Liabilities in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate, (x) each material Benefit Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Requirements of Law, (y) there are no existing or pending (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal course), sanctions, actions, lawsuits or other proceedings or investigation involving any material Benefit Plan to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has or could have a material obligation or any material Liability and (z) no ERISA Event is reasonably expected to occur. On the Closing Date, no ERISA Event has occurred in connection with which obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) remain outstanding.

 

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3.8 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. No Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is engaged in the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. Schedule 3.8 contains a description of the Credit Parties’ sources and uses of funds on the Closing Date, including Loans made on the Closing Date and a funds flow memorandum detailing how funds from each source are to be transferred to particular uses.

3.9 Ownership of Property; Liens. Subject to Permitted Liens, each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has (i) good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all Real Estate, and (ii) good and valid title to all owned personal/movable property and valid leasehold interests in all leased personal property, in each instance, necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses, except, in each case, to the extent that failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to materially impair the value of such Real Estate. As of the Closing Date, none of the Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is subject to any Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9, as of the Closing Date, all material permits required to have been issued or appropriate to enable the Real Estate to be lawfully occupied and used for all of the purposes for which it is currently occupied and used have been lawfully issued and are in full force and effect.

3.10 Taxes. All United States federal and material state, foreign, provincial and local income and other material tax returns, information returns, reports and statements (collectively, the “Tax Returns”) required to be filed by any Tax Affiliate have been timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities, all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, and all material taxes, assessments and other governmental charges and impositions reflected therein or otherwise due and payable have been paid prior to the date on which any Liability may be added thereto for non-payment thereof except for those contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves are maintained on the books of the appropriate Tax Affiliate in accordance with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10, as of the Closing Date, no material Tax Return is under audit or examination by any Governmental Authority, and no notice of any audit or examination or any assertion of any claim for material Taxes has been given or made by any Governmental Authority. Adequate provision has been made for the payment of all accrued and unpaid federal, state, local, foreign and other material taxes whether or not due and payable and whether or not disputed.

3.11 Financial Condition.

(a) Each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of each of (A) Axiall and its Subsidiaries and (B) the PPG Entities, in each case, dated December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the related audited consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year ended on December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and (ii) the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of each of (A) Axiall and its Subsidiaries and (B) the PPG Entities, in each case, dated September 30, 2012 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the nine months then ended, in each case, as attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(a):

(x) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the respective periods covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, subject to, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements, normal year-end adjustments and the lack of footnote disclosures;

(y) present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities as of the dates thereof and results of operations for the periods covered thereby; and

(z) were prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X.

 

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(b) The pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities delivered on the Closing Date and attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(b) was prepared giving pro forma effect to the Transactions, was based on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities dated September 30, 2012 and was prepared in accordance with GAAP, with only such adjustments thereto as would be required in a manner consistent with GAAP.

(c) Since December 31, 2011, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

(d) The Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 5.5 and have no Contingent Obligations other than Contingent Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 5.9.

(e) All financial performance projections delivered to Administrative Agent, including the financial performance projections delivered on the Closing Date and attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(e), represent the Borrower’s good faith estimate of future financial performance and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be fair and reasonable in light of market conditions when made, it being acknowledged and agreed by Administrative Agent and Lenders that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, that no assurance can be given that any particular projection will be realized, and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material.

3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12, and except where any of the following would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the operations of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party are and have been for the past five (5) years in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required by any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, and no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and no Real Estate currently (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Person is subject to or the subject of, any Contractual Obligation or any pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) order, action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute or notice of violation or of potential liability or similar notice relating in any manner to any Environmental Laws, (c) no Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities has attached to any property of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist that could reasonably be expected to result in any such Lien attaching to any such property, (d) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur a Release of Hazardous Materials at, to or from any Real Estate, (e) all Real Estate currently (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party is free of contamination by any Hazardous Materials except for such Release or contamination that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect to any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, and (f) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) is or has been engaged in, or has permitted any current or former tenant to engage in, operations or (ii) knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions, including receipt of any information request or notice of potential responsibility under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.) or similar Environmental Laws.

 

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3.13 Regulated Entities. None of any Credit Party, any Person controlling any Credit Party, or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, is (a) an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) subject to or, if subject to, not exempt from, regulation under the Federal Power Act, any state public utilities code, or any other federal or state statute, rule or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness, pledge its assets or perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents.

3.14 Solvency. On the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions, Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

3.15 Labor Relations. There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts existing, pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) against or involving any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, as of the Closing Date, (a) there is no collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union, labor organization, works council or similar representative covering any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (b) no petition for certification or election of any such representative is existing or pending with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (c) no such representative has sought certification or recognition with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

3.16 Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.16 sets forth a true and complete list as of the Closing Date of the following Intellectual Property each Credit Party owns, licenses or otherwise has the right to use: (i) Intellectual Property that is registered or subject to applications for registration, (ii) Internet Domain Names and (iii) material Intellectual Property and material Software, separately identifying that owned and licensed to such Credit Party and including for each of the foregoing items (1) the owner, (2) the title, (3) the jurisdiction in which such item has been registered or otherwise arises or in which an application for registration has been filed, (4) as applicable, the registration or application number and registration or application date and (5) any IP Licenses or other rights (including franchises) granted by such Credit Party with respect thereto. Each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Credit Party, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person and (b) no other Person has contested any right, title or interest of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party in, or relating to, any Intellectual Property, other than, in each case, as cannot reasonably be expected to affect the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein and would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.17 Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 and except for fees payable to Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and Lenders, none of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finder’s, broker’s or investment banker’s fee in connection with this Agreement.

3.18 Insurance. Schedule 3.18 lists all liability, property and business interruption insurance policies and all other material insurance policies maintained, as of the Closing Date, for current occurrences by each Credit Party, including issuers, coverages and deductibles. Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective Properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar Properties in localities where such Person operates.

 

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3.19 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock. All issued and outstanding Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries held by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary are duly authorized and validly issued and free and clear of all Liens other than those in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties and Liens permitted pursuant to subsection 5.1(p). All such securities were issued in compliance with all applicable state, provincial and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities. As of the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding Stock of each Credit Party (other than Axiall) and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party is owned by each of the Persons and in the amounts set forth in Schedule 3.19. Set forth in Schedule 3.19 is a true and complete organizational chart of the Borrower and all of their respective Subsidiaries, which the Credit Parties shall update upon Administrative Agent’s reasonable request following the completion of any Permitted Acquisition.

3.20 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office. Schedule 3.20 lists each Credit Party’s jurisdiction of organization, legal name and organizational identification number, if any, and the location of such Credit Party’s chief executive office or sole place of business, in each case as of the date hereof, and such Schedule 3.20 also lists all jurisdictions of organization and legal names of such Credit Party for the five years preceding the Closing Date.

3.21 Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records. Each Credit Party’s inventory and equipment (other than inventory or equipment in transit) and books and records concerning the Collateral are kept at the locations listed in Schedule 3.21 (which Schedule 3.21 shall be promptly updated by the Credit Parties upon notice to Administrative Agent as permanent Collateral locations change).

3.22 Other Financing Documents. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has delivered to Administrative Agent a complete and correct copy of the Other Financing Documents (including all amendments, supplements and modifications delivered in connection therewith).

3.23 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the Loan Documents as of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in each exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the Loan Documents (including the offering and disclosure materials, if any, delivered by or on behalf of any Credit Party to Administrative Agent or the Lenders prior to the Closing Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading in any material respect as of the time when made or delivered.

3.24 Foreign Assets Control Regulations and Anti-Money Laundering. Each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of a Credit Party is and will remain in compliance in all material respects with all U.S. economic sanctions laws, Executive Orders and implementing regulations as promulgated by OFAC, and all applicable anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and all regulations issued pursuant to it. No Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party is in violation of any of the country or list-based, economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC. No Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has any of its assets located in Sanctioned Entities or (c) derives any revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Entities. The Borrower has not used and the Borrower will not use, the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder to fund any operation in, finance any investments or activities in, or make payments to, a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Entity.

 

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3.25 Patriot Act. The Credit Parties and each of their Subsidiaries and Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, (b) the Patriot Act and (c) other federal or state laws relating to “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used directly or indirectly for any payments to any government official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

3.26 Security Documents. Upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition:

(a) Pledge and Security Agreement. The Pledge and Security Agreement shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, legal, valid and enforceable Liens on, and security interests in, the Collateral and, when (i) financing statements and other filings in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate offices and all relevant fees paid and (ii) upon the taking of possession or control by the Collateral Agent of the Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected only by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Collateral Agent to the extent possession or control by the Collateral Agent is required by the Pledge and Security Agreement), the Liens created by the Pledge and Security Agreement shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral (other than such Collateral in which a security interest cannot be perfected under the UCC as in effect at the relevant time in the relevant jurisdiction by the filing of a financing statement or the taking of possession or control), in each case subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(b) PTO Filing; Copyright Office Filing. When any patent and trademark security agreement or copyright security agreement or a short form thereof is filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, the Liens created by such agreement shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the grantors thereunder in Patents registered or applied for with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or Copyrights registered or applied for with the United States Copyright Office, as the case may be, in each case subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(c) Mortgages. When entered into, each Mortgage shall be effective to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, legal, valid and enforceable first priority (except for certain non-consensual Liens on the Real Estate subject thereto to the extent such Liens have priority as a matter of law) Liens on, and security interests in, all of the Credit Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Properties thereunder and the proceeds thereof, subject only to Permitted Liens, and when the Mortgages are filed (or, in the case of any Mortgage executed and delivered after the date thereof in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4.13 and 4.17, when such Mortgage is filed in the appropriate office, the Mortgages shall constitute fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other person, other than Liens permitted by such Mortgage.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall, and shall cause each of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

4.1 Financial Statements. Each Credit Party shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP (provided, that monthly financial statements shall not be required to have footnote disclosures and are subject to normal year-end adjustments). The Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender by Electronic Transmission and in detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) as soon as available, but not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the audited consolidated and segmented balance sheets of Axiall and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and segmented statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by the report of any “Big Four” or other nationally recognized independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent which report shall (i) contain an unqualified opinion, stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years and (ii) not include any explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status or exception as to scope of audit;

(b) as soon as available, but not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter a copy of the unaudited consolidated and segmented balance sheets of Axiall and its consolidated Subsidiaries, and the related consolidated and segmented statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all certified on behalf of the Borrower by an appropriate Responsible Officer of the Borrower as being complete and correct and fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial position and the results of operations of Axiall and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures; and

(c) [Reserved].

(d) if applicable, simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in subsections 4.1(a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements (which may be in footnote form) reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements.

All requirements to deliver segmented balance sheets referred to in this Section 4.1 shall be satisfied by the delivery of such balance sheets as currently reported in public disclosure documents.

Axiall will hold and participate in a quarterly conference call for Lenders to discuss financial information delivered pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) above. Axiall will hold such conference call following the last day of each Fiscal Quarter of Axiall and not later than five (5) Business Days from the time that Axiall delivers the financial information as set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. Prior to each conference call, Axiall shall issue a press release to the appropriate wire services announcing the

 

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time and date of such conference call and, unless the call is to be open to the public, Lenders, securities analysts and prospective lenders to contact the office of Axiall’s chief financial officer or investor relations department to obtain access. If Axiall is holding a conference call open to the public to discuss the most recent Fiscal Quarter’s financial performance, Axiall will not be required to hold a second, separate call just for the Lenders.

4.2 Certificates, Other Information. The Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent and each Lender by Electronic Transmission:

(a) together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to subsections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b), (i) a management discussion and analysis report, in reasonable detail, signed by the chief financial officer of Axiall, describing the operations and financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries for the fiscal month or Fiscal Quarter, as applicable, and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (or for the Fiscal Year then ended in the case of annual financial statements), and (ii) a report setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the most recent projections for the current Fiscal Year delivered pursuant to subsection 4.2(k) and discussing the reasons for any significant variations;

(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a fully and properly completed Compliance Certificate certified on behalf of the Borrower by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

(c) promptly after the same are sent, copies of all financial statements and reports which Axiall sends to its shareholders generally, and promptly after the same are filed, copies of all material reports and registration statements which Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes to, or files with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor;

(d) [Reserved];

(e) [Reserved];

(f) [Reserved];

(g) [Reserved];

(h) [Reserved];

(i) [Reserved];

(j) [Reserved];

(k) as soon as available following the end of each Fiscal Year, but not later than the last day of February of each year, projections of the Credit Parties’ (and their Subsidiaries’) consolidated and segmented (as currently reported in public disclosure documents) financial performance for such Fiscal Year on a month by month basis; and

(l) promptly upon receipt thereof, final copies of any material reports submitted by the independent registered public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or internal control systems of any Credit Party made by such accountants, including any comment letters submitted by such accountants to management of any Credit Party in connection with their services.

 

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Information required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and (b) and 4.2(c) shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual, quarterly or other reports containing such information, shall have been posted on Axiall’s website on the internet (currently [http://www.ggc.com]) or by Electronic Transmission or shall be available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov; provided, that Axiall shall (i) promptly notify Administrative Agent of any such postings and (ii) deliver paper copies of such information to Administrative Agent or any Lender that reasonably requests such delivery.

4.3 Notices. The Borrower shall notify promptly Administrative Agent and each Lender of each of the following (and in no event later than (i) three (3) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware thereof in the cases of clauses (a), (b) and (g) below or (ii) ten (10) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware thereof in all other cases):

(a) the occurrence or existence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) any breach or non-performance of, or any default under, any Contractual Obligation of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, or any violation of, or non-compliance with, any Requirement of Law, which, in either case, would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, including a description of such breach, non-performance, default, violation or non-compliance and the steps, if any, such Person has taken, is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof;

(c) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time between any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority which would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in Liabilities in excess of $30,000,000 (other than any such dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which would not reasonably be expected to result individually in Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000);

(d) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) which would reasonably be expected to result in Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies) or more, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought and which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) in which the relief sought is an injunction or other stay of the performance of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Other Financing Document;

(e) (i) the receipt by any Credit Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability or similar notice under Environmental Law if such notice relates to a violation of or potential liability under Environmental Law that would reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 for any such violation or potential liability, individually, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one Fiscal Year, (ii) (A) unpermitted Releases, (B) the existence of any condition that could reasonably be expected to result in violations of or Liabilities under, any Environmental Law or (C) the commencement of, or any material change to, any action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute alleging a violation of or Liability under any Environmental Law which in the case of clause (A), (B) or (C) would reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 for any individual occurrence, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one Fiscal Year (iii) the receipt by any Credit Party

 

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of notification that any property of any Credit Party is subject to any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities and (iv) any proposed acquisition or lease of Real Estate (other than in connection with the Transactions), if such acquisition or lease would have a reasonable likelihood of resulting in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 individually, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one Fiscal Year;

(f) promptly after any officer of any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that an ERISA Event will or has occurred, a notice describing such ERISA Event, and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notices received from or filed with the PBGC, IRS, Multiemployer Plan or other Benefit Plan pertaining thereto;

(g) any Material Adverse Effect subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to this Agreement;

(h) any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party;

(i) any labor controversy resulting in or threatening to result in any strike, work stoppage, boycott, shutdown or other labor disruption against or involving any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party if the same would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(j) the creation, establishment or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary or the issuance by or to any Credit Party of any Stock or Stock Equivalent (other than issuances by Axiall of Stock or Stock Equivalent not requiring a mandatory prepayment hereunder);

(k) (i) the creation, or filing with the IRS or any other Governmental Authority, of any Contractual Obligation or other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the period for assessment or collection of any income or other material taxes with respect to any Tax Affiliate and (ii) the creation of any Contractual Obligation of any Tax Affiliate, or the receipt of any request directed to any Tax Affiliate, to make any material adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code, by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise; and

(l) any change in the credit rating of any Credit Party.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be in electronic form accompanied by a statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, on behalf of the Borrower, setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein, and stating what action the Borrower or other Person proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under subsection 4.3(a) shall describe with particularity any and all clauses or provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been breached or violated.

4.4 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, except in connection with transactions permitted by Section 5.3;

(b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business except in connection

 

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with transactions permitted by Section 5.3 and sales of assets permitted by Section 5.2 and except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) preserve or renew all of its registered Trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Maintenance of Property. Each Credit Party shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, and preserve all its Property which is used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and shall make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.6 Insurance.

(a) The Credit Parties shall maintain, and shall cause their Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible carriers against such risks and in such amounts, and with such deductibles, retentions, self-insured amounts and co-insurance provisions, as are customarily carried by similar businesses of similar size, including property and casualty loss, workers’ compensation and interruption of business insurance.

(b) The Credit Parties shall (i) cause any property and casualty insurance policies with respect to the Mortgaged Property to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable endorsement, which endorsement or policy shall provide that, from and after the Closing Date, if the insurance carrier shall have received written notice from the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the insurance carrier shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Credit Parties and (ii) cause all such insurance relating to any property or business of any Credit Party to name Collateral Agent as additional insured or Mortgagee and loss payee, as appropriate. All policies of insurance on real and personal property of the Credit Parties will contain an endorsement, in form and substance acceptable to Collateral Agent, showing loss payable to Collateral Agent (Form CP 1218 or equivalent) and extra expense and business interruption endorsements under such policies directly to the Borrower and the Collateral Agent; cause all such policies to provide that neither the Borrower, the Collateral Agent nor any other party shall be a coinsurer thereunder and to contain a “Replacement Cost Endorsement,” or in the case of a policy insuring equipment, to contain an “Actual Cost Endorsement,” or similar endorsement without any deduction for depreciation, and such other provisions as may be customary with companies in the same or similar businesses; deliver original or certified copies of all such policies or a certificate of an insurance broker to the Collateral Agent; cause each such policy to provide that it shall not be canceled or not renewed upon less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Collateral Agent; deliver to the Collateral Agent, prior to the cancellation or nonrenewal of such policy of insurance, a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Collateral Agent) or insurance certificate with respect, thereto, together with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent of payment of the premium thereof.

4.7 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge all United States federal, state and provincial taxes and all other material taxes, assessments and other similar governmental charges or levies imposed upon or against it or its properties or assets, except for (and to the extent of) taxes, assessments and governmental charges the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued which stay the filing or enforcement of any Lien, as the case may be, and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books to the extent required by GAAP.

 

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4.8 Compliance with Laws. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all Requirements of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9 Inspection of Property and Books and Records. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP in all material respects, and will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep adequate records and books of account in which complete and correct entries in all material respects will be made in accordance with such accounting principles consistently applied and reflecting all transactions required to be reflected by such accounting principles. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, with respect to each owned, leased, or controlled property, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice (unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no notice shall be required and Administrative Agent shall have access at any and all times during the continuance thereof): provide access to such property to Administrative Agent and any of its Related Persons (subject to accountants customary policies and procedures), as frequently as Administrative Agent determines to be appropriate, upon reasonably advance notice to the Borrower, for the purposes of inspecting and verifying the Collateral and all of each Credit Party’s books and records (including making extracts and copies thereof). If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Lender may accompany Administrative Agent or its Related Persons in connection with any inspection at such Lender’s expense.

4.10 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely as follows: (a) to finance the Special Distribution and (b) to pay costs and expenses of the Transactions and costs and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.1, and all professional fees, investment banking fees, and other fees and expenses incurred by the Credit Parties in connection with any of the foregoing or the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

4.11 [Reserved].

4.12 Maintenance of Ratings. The Credit Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Loans and Axiall’s corporate credit to continue to be rated by S&P and Moody’s (but not to maintain a specific rating).

4.13 Further Assurances.

(a) Each Credit Party shall ensure that all written information, exhibits and reports furnished to Administrative Agent or the Lenders do not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and do not and will not omit to state any material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in any material respect in light of the circumstances in which made, and will promptly disclose to Administrative Agent and the Lenders and correct any defect or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof.

(b) Promptly upon request by Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as appropriate, the Credit Parties shall (and, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to) take such additional actions and execute such documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order (i) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) to subject to the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents in any of the Properties, rights or interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) to perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and the Liens

 

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intended to be created thereby, and (iv) to better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Administrative Agent, SpinCo (and upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, SpinCo and Axiall) shall cause each of its Subsidiaries that are not Immaterial Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries to become a Credit Party by executing a joinder agreement to the Guaranty Agreement, shall cause each such Credit Party to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, all of such Credit Party’s Property to secure such guaranty. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by Collateral Agent and unless not required under the applicable Collateral Document, SpinCo (and upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, SpinCo and Axiall) shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary to, pledge all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of its U.S. Subsidiaries that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary (other than U.S. Subsidiaries owned indirectly through a Foreign Subsidiary) and First Tier Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Immaterial Subsidiaries (provided, that with respect to (i) any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) any U.S. Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of (a) Stock or Stock Equivalents in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (b) assets which are directly related to (and exist only to the extent necessary for) its corporate existence and its ownership of such Stock or Stock Equivalents, such pledge shall be limited to sixty-five percent (65%) of such Foreign Subsidiary’s or such U.S. Subsidiary’s, as the case may be, outstanding voting Stock and Stock Equivalents and one hundred percent (100%) of such Foreign Subsidiary’s or such U.S. Subsidiary’s, as the case may be, outstanding non-voting Stock and Stock Equivalents) in each instance, to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the Obligations. In the event any Credit Party acquires any Real Estate with a fair market value in excess of (x) $15,000,000 individually or (y) $30,000,000 in the aggregate with respect to all such Real Estate with a fair market value less than $15,000,000, in each case, after the Closing Date, within thirty (30) days following such acquisition, such Person shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to Collateral Agent, (v) an appraisal complying with FIRREA, (w) within forty-five days of receipt of notice from Collateral Agent that Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Flood Insurance as required by subsection 4.6(a), (x) a fully executed Mortgage, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent together with an A.L.T.A. lender’s title insurance policy (or commitment to issue such a policy) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent having the effect of a loan policy of title insurance) issued by a title insurer insuring (or committing to insure) that the Mortgage is a valid and enforceable Lien) on the respective property, free and clear of all defects, encumbrances and Liens other than Permitted Liens (provided that in jurisdictions that impose mortgage, documentary stamp or other taxes upon the recording of a Mortgage, such Mortgages shall not secure Indebtedness in an amount exceeding 100% of the fair market value of such Real Estate), and (y) then current A.L.T.A. surveys, certified to Collateral Agent by a licensed surveyor sufficient to allow the issuer of the lender’s title insurance policy to issue such policy; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Credit Parties shall not be required to deliver any surveys, zoning reports or zoning letters with respect to a Mortgaged Property to the extent the title company is willing to issue the applicable Mortgage Policy with (i) the general or standard survey exception deleted and (ii) all survey related endorsements (to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction and at commercially reasonable rates). In addition to the obligations set forth in subsections 4.6(a) and 4.13(b)(w), within forty-five days after written notice from Collateral Agent to the Credit Parties that any Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the Credit Parties shall satisfy the Flood Insurance requirements of subsection 4.6(a). In connection with each pledge of Stock and Stock Equivalents, the Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Collateral Agent, irrevocable proxies and stock powers and/or assignments, as applicable, duly executed in blank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, for so long as the Secured Notes, ABL Facility or any Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations or any Permitted Refinancings thereof are outstanding, the Credit Parties shall only be required to grant a security interest in Revolving Priority Collateral to the extent required under the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

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(c) Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause any of its Subsidiaries to, take such actions as are necessary to ensure that if any Subsidiary that is an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Subsidiary shall promptly guarantee, and pledge its assets to Collateral Agent as collateral for, the Obligations in the manner and to the extent required by subsection 4.13(b) above.

4.14 Environmental Matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Credit Party to, comply in all material respects with, and maintain its Real Estate, whether owned, leased, subleased or otherwise operated or occupied, in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws (including by implementing any Remedial Action necessary to achieve such compliance) or that is required by orders and directives of any Governmental Authority except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Credit Party to, comply with Environmental Laws applicable to Hazardous Materials, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

4.15 [Reserved].

4.16 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The board of directors of Axiall may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with Section 6.1, (iii) neither Axiall nor SpinCo may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iv) no subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” (or the equivalent term) for the purpose of the ABL Credit Agreement, Secured Notes or RMT Notes, (v) as of the date of the designation thereof, no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall own any Stock in Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries or hold any Indebtedness of, or any Lien on any property of Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (vi) the holder of any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not have any recourse to Axiall or its Subsidiaries with respect to such Indebtedness; provided, that this clause (vi) shall not apply to the extent that (x) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility, (y) any Liens granted in connection with any credit support or guarantee provided by Axiall or its Subsidiaries in connection therewith are permitted under Section 5.1 and (z) the percentage of credit support provided by or direct or indirect liability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Indebtedness is less than or equal to the Borrower’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s percentage ownership of the Stock of such Unrestricted Subsidiary. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by Axiall therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the portion (proportionate to Axiall’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary (and such designation shall only be permitted to the extent such Investment is permitted under Section 5.4); provided, that upon a redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary, Axiall shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent Investment in a Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) Axiall’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, less (b) the portion (proportionate to Axiall’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Unrestricted Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by Axiall in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value as determined by Axiall in good faith at the date of such designation of Axiall’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary. Any designation of a Subsidiary of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to Administrative Agent by

 

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delivering to Administrative Agent a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of Axiall giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement and any Indebtedness of and Investments by such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under this Agreement, the Borrower will be in default of such covenants.

4.17 Post-Closing Matters. To the extent not delivered to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on or before the Closing Date, each Credit Party agrees to, and to cause each of its respective Restricted Subsidiaries to (a) deliver each of the items set forth on Schedule 4.17 within the time periods and in the manner specified on such schedule, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable and (b) otherwise comply with the requirements set forth on Schedule 4.17.

ARTICLE V.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall not and shall cause the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries not to, so long as any Lender shall have any Term Loan Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

5.1 Limitation on Liens. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following (“Permitted Liens”):

(a) any Lien existing on the Property of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.1 securing Indebtedness and permitted by subsection 5.5(c), including replacement Liens on the Property currently subject to such Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 5.5(c);

(b) any Lien created under any Loan Document in favor of the Secured Parties Securing the Obligations;

(c) Liens for Taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges (i) which are not past due or remain payable without penalty, or (ii) the non-payment of which is permitted by Section 4.7;

(d) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Liens which are not past due or remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently prosecuted, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property subject thereto and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained;

(e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges or deposits required in the Ordinary Course of Business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeals bonds, bids, leases, governmental contract, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

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(f) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens (other than for payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) not constituting an Event of Default under subsection 7.1(h);

(g) easements, rights of way, zoning and other restrictions, minor defects or other irregularities in title, and other similar encumbrances incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which, either individually or in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party;

(h) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under subsection 5.5(d) and 5.5(n); provided, that (A) such Liens attach concurrently with or within one hundred eighty (180) days after completion of the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens, (B) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements thereof and additions and accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits and (C) such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for additions and accessions to such assets, replacements and products thereof and customary security deposits) other than the assets subject to, or acquired, constructed, repaired, replaced or improved with the proceeds of such Indebtedness; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(i) [Reserved];

(j) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease permitted by this Agreement;

(k) licenses and sublicenses granted by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party and leases or subleases (by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party as lessor or sublessor) to third parties in the Ordinary Course of Business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries;

(l) Liens in favor of collecting banks arising by operation of law under Section 4-210 of the UCC or, with respect to collecting banks located in the State of New York, under Section 4-208 of the UCC;

(m) Liens (including the right of set-off) in favor of a bank or other depository institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits;

(n) [Reserved];

(o) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 5.5(g) assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; provided, that (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition or such Person becoming a Credit Party (or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party), (ii) such Lien does not extend to any assets other than those of the Target of such Permitted Acquisition and (iii) such Lien shall be created no later than the later of the date of such Permitted Acquisition or the date of the assumption of such Indebtedness;

 

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(p) Liens securing Indebtedness with respect to any Secured Notes Obligations (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement on the Closing Date) under the ABL Facility (or any Permitted Refinancings of the ABL Facility) or Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations, in each case, to the extent permitted by subsection 5.5(h) and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

(q) in the case of property of a Canadian Subsidiary with respect to unregistered Prior Claims for items not yet due and payable;

(r) the reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions expressed in any original grants from the Crown of real or immovable property, which do not materially interfere with (i) the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person or (ii) the use and enjoyment of such real or immovable property;

(s) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by a Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(t) 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;

(u) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided, that (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depositary institution; and

(v) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Credit Parties; provided that such Indebtedness shall not exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 5.50% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding.

5.2 Disposition of Assets. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any Property (including the Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether in a public or a private offering or otherwise, and accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse), except:

(a) dispositions to any Person other than an Affiliate of a Credit Party of (i) inventory, or (ii) worn out, obsolete or surplus equipment in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b) Dispositions of inventory and goods held for sale in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(c) transactions permitted under subsection 5.1(k);

(d) dispositions of assets pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000; provided, that no Default or Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom;

 

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(e) (i) dispositions of those assets set forth in Schedule 5.2; provided, that no Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom and (ii) any Aromatics Asset Sale or Building Products Division Asset Sale;

(f) dispositions of assets from (i) a Credit Party to another Credit Party, including the dispositions contemplated in the PPG Separation Agreement, (ii) from a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to a Credit Party and (iii) from a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party;

(g) dispositions of assets from a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Credit Party for not more than fair market value;

(h) dispositions of Cash Equivalents in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(i) any issuance or sale of Stock or Stock Equivalents in an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(j) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the Ordinary Course of Business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(k) dispositions of assets 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; provided that to the extent the property being transferred constitutes Notes Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), such replacement property shall constitute Notes Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement);

(l) 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; and

(m) additional dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted by this Section 5.2 if, immediately after giving effect to any such disposition, the aggregate amount (based on the net book value of all such assets) of all such dispositions does not exceed the lesser of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such disposition for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such disposition); provided, that (A) no Default or Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom and (B) the non-cash consideration received in connection therewith shall not exceed 25% of the total consideration received in connection with such disposition (it being agreed that non-cash consideration consisting of Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of dispositions having an aggregate fair market value in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate shall be excluded from such calculation).

5.3 Consolidations, Mergers, etc. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) merge, amalgamate, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Administrative Agent, (a) any Subsidiary

 

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of Axiall (other than SpinCo) may merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into, Axiall or a Credit Party, provided, that Axiall or such Credit Party shall be the continuing or surviving entity and all actions required to maintain perfected Liens on the Stock of the surviving entity and other Collateral in favor of Collateral Agent shall have been completed, (b) any Foreign Subsidiary may amalgamate, merge or consolidate with or into another Foreign Subsidiary, provided that if a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary is a constituent entity in such merger, amalgamation, dissolution or liquidation, such First Tier Foreign Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving entity, (c) any Subsidiary of Axiall that is not a Credit Party merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into any other Subsidiary of Axiall that is not a Credit Party, and (d) any Subsidiary of Axiall (other than SpinCo) may be dissolved or liquidated, provided that if such Subsidiary is a Credit Party, such Subsidiary’s assets are transferred to a Credit Party in connection with such liquidation or dissolution.

5.4 Acquisitions; Loans and Investments. No Credit Party shall and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) purchase or acquire, or make any commitment to purchase or acquire any Stock or Stock Equivalents, or any obligations or other securities of, or any interest in, any Person, including the establishment or creation of a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) make or commit to make any Acquisitions, or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, or of any business or division of any Person, including without limitation, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination or (iii) make or purchase, or commit to make or purchase, any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person including a Credit Party, any Affiliate of a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are referred to as “Investments”), except for:

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) (i) Investments by any Credit Party in any other Credit Party, (ii) Investments by any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party in any Credit Party or any other Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (iv) the Holdco Loan; and (v) Investments by any U.S. Credit Party in any Canadian Credit Party (as such terms are defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) in the form of intercompany advances or loans made for working capital purposes; provided, that (A) if any Credit Party executes and delivers a note (collectively, the “Intercompany Notes”) to evidence any such intercompany Indebtedness owing by such Credit Party, that Intercompany Note shall be pledged and delivered to Collateral Agent pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement as additional collateral security for the Obligations; and (B) each Credit Party shall accurately record all intercompany transactions on its books and records;

(c) Investments received as the non-cash portion of consideration received in connection with transactions permitted pursuant to subsection 5.2(h);

(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent Accounts in the Ordinary Course of Business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;

(e) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.4;

(f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 5.6;

(g) Permitted Acquisitions;

(h) Acquisitions not otherwise permitted by this Section 5.4 in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 in a single transaction or $50,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this

 

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Agreement; provided, that (i) the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (including any new Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 4.13, (ii) such Acquisition shall be non-hostile and shall have been approved, as necessary, by the target’s board of directors, shareholders or other requisite Persons, (iii) the assets, business or division acquired are for use, or the Person acquired is engaged, in a line of business substantially similar to the business conducted by the Credit Parties on the Closing Date (and business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto) and (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;

(i) additional Investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 5.4; provided, that at the time any such Investment is made and immediately after giving effect thereto (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the total consideration paid or payable (including without limitation, all transaction costs, assumed Indebtedness and Liabilities incurred, assumed or reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such Investment and the reasonably anticipated amount of all deferred payments) for all Investments consummated during the term of this Agreement pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed the greater of $250,000,000 and 9.25% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets in the aggregate for all such Investments outstanding immediately preceding the incurrence thereof (pro forma after giving effect to such Investment). For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions set forth above shall not prohibit or require a reduction of outstanding Investments that were permitted to be made by this clause (i) at the time such Investments were made;

(j) any Investments made in connection with any Aromatics Asset Sale or Building Products Division Asset Sale;

(k) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result therefrom, Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount of all such Investments outstanding at any time not to exceed $20,000,000; and

(l) Investments in any Person (including any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whose principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating a facility, a primary purpose of which is the generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production (or with the intent to convert or modify to the generation or production of ethylene, including any cracking in connection with such generation or production) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $700,000,000;

(m) additional Investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 5.4; provided that at the time any such Investment is made and immediately after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of such Investments consummated during the term of this Agreement pursuant to this clause (m) shall not exceed the Available Amount;

(n) Investments by a Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Permitted Joint Venture, so long as:

(i) such Permitted Joint Venture does not have any Indebtedness for borrowed money at the time of such Investment (or contemplated to be incurred contemporaneously with such Investment) (other than Indebtedness owing to the equity holders of such Permitted Joint Venture, a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary);

 

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(ii) such Permitted Joint Venture is engaged only in a line of business substantially similar to the business conducted by the Credit Parties on the Closing Date (and business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto); and

(iii) after giving pro forma effect to such Investment, Axiall would be permitted to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.09(a) of the RMT Notes Indenture (as in effect on the Closing Date);

(o) Investments made in connection with the initial designation of TCI and/or the direct holder of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of TCI as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the Closing Date following the purchase of such Stock and Stock Equivalents in accordance with terms of the PPG Merger Agreement;

(p) Investments made solely to effect the Transactions;

(q) Investments represented by Rate Contracts;

(r) Investments to the extent the payment for such Investment is made solely with Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall;

(s) Investments consisting of Contingent Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 5.9;

(t) Investments consisting of the purchase of Stock and Stock Equivalents of TCI not owned by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $120,000,000; and

(q) Investments held by a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or of a Person merged into the Borrower or merged or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.3 after the Closing Date to the extent that such investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation.

For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent changes in the value of such Investment, net of any return representing a return of capital with respect to such Investment.

5.5 Limitation on Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness consisting of Contingent Obligations described in clause (c) of the definition thereof and permitted pursuant to Section 5.9;

(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.5, and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(d) Indebtedness not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 5.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets in the aggregate at any time outstanding, consisting of Capital

 

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Lease Obligations or Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, repairing, replacing or improving any Property (and which Indebtedness is secured by Liens permitted by subsection 5.1(h)) and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(e) (i) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsection 5.4(b) and (ii) the Holdco Loan; provided, that, in each case, such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations as to right and time of payment and as to other rights and remedies thereunder on terms reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

(f) Indebtedness so long as the Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined in the RMT Indenture on the Closing Date) exceeds 2.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence) and Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided, that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result therefrom;

(g) Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition (and Permitted Refinancings thereof); provided, that such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred by any party in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition and such Indebtedness (and any guarantee thereof) shall be permitted under Section 5.1 and Section 5.9, respectively, on a pro forma basis at the time of such assumption;

(h) secured Indebtedness evidenced by (i) (A) the Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $447,000,000 and (B) the ABL Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $500.0 million, less the aggregate amount of all Net Cash Proceeds of Dispositions applied by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Closing Date to repay any Loans or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under the ABL Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder or (y) the Borrowing Base (as defined in the RMT Note Indenture as in effect on the date hereof) as of the date of such incurrence and, in each case, Permitted Refinancings thereof (including any guarantees thereof by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (ii) Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $800,000,000 (less the outstanding principal amount, at any time of Secured Notes, Loans and Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations outstanding at such time) and (y) an amount such that both before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (calculated for the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence);

(i) Indebtedness under performance bonds, surety bonds, release, appeal and similar bonds, statutory obligations or with respect to workers’ compensation claims, in each case incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, and reimbursement obligations in respect of any of the foregoing (including in respect of letters of credit issued in support of any of the foregoing);

(j) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 5.2;

(k) Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries which are not Credit Parties in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding, including Permitted Refinancings thereof, not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 5.5% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(l) Indebtedness of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding, including Permitted Refinancings thereof, not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 5.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

(m) the RMT Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $688,000,000 and Permitted Refinancings thereof; and

(n) Indebtedness of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and any Permitted Refinancings thereof so long as (i) such Indebtedness is existing as the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and is not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) such Indebtedness (and any guarantee thereof) shall be permitted under Section 5.1 and Section 5.9, respectively, on a pro forma basis at the time of such assumption and (iii) is Non-Recourse Debt.

5.6 Employee Loans and Transactions with Affiliates. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower or of any such Restricted Subsidiary or pay any management, consulting or similar fees to any Affiliate of any Credit Party or to any officer, director or employee of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party, except:

(a) as expressly permitted by this Agreement;

(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary and which are disclosed in writing to Administrative Agent to the extent any such transaction involves aggregate consideration in excess of $10,000,000;

(c) customary compensation and reimbursement of expenses and indemnity provided on behalf of officers and directors;

(d) any issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents of Axiall to Affiliates of Axiall;

(e) loans or advances to employees of Credit Parties for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses and other ordinary business purposes in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(f) non-cash loans or advances made by Axiall to employees of Credit Parties that are simultaneously used by such Persons to purchase Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall; and

(g) in connection with the Transactions.

Any such transactions existing as of the Closing Date that involve consideration in excess of $20,000,000 as described in Schedule 5.6.

5.7 [Reserved].

 

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5.8 Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry Margin Stock or repay or otherwise refinance Indebtedness of any Credit Party or others incurred to purchase or carry Margin Stock, or otherwise in any manner which is in contravention of any Requirement of Law or in violation of this Agreement.

5.9 Contingent Obligations. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Contingent Obligations except in respect of the Obligations and except:

(a) endorsements for collection or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b) Rate Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation;

(c) Contingent Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date and listed in Schedule 5.9, including extension and renewals thereof which do not increase the amount of such Contingent Obligations or impose materially more restrictive or adverse terms on the Credit Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries as compared to the terms of the Contingent Obligation being renewed or extended;

(d) Contingent Obligations arising under indemnity agreements to title insurers to cause such title insurers to issue to Administrative Agent title insurance policies;

(e) Contingent Obligations arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations in favor of (i) sellers in connection with Acquisitions permitted hereunder this Agreement and (ii) purchasers in connection with dispositions permitted under subsection 5.2(b);

(f) Contingent Obligations arising under letters of credit;

(g) Contingent Obligations arising under guarantees of obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary which obligations are otherwise permitted under this Agreement; provided, that if such obligation is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent;

(h) Contingent Obligations consisting of Indebtedness permitted under Section 5.2;

(i) Contingent Obligations assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Contingent Obligations shall not have been incurred by any party in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(j) Contingent Obligations arising in connection with or incurred pursuant to any Ethylene Cracker Investment; provided, that at the time such Contingent Obligations are entered into and immediately after giving effect thereto (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (y) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined in the RMT Indenture on the Closing Date) is equal to or exceeds 2.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such incurrence for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Contingent Obligation); and

(k) other Contingent Obligations not exceeding $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

 

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5.10 Compliance with ERISA. No ERISA Affiliate shall cause or suffer to exist (a) any event that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien on any asset of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party with respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (b) any other ERISA Event, that would, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. No Credit Party shall cause or suffer to exist any event that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien on any asset with respect to any Benefit Plan.

5.11 Restricted Payments. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any Stock or Stock Equivalent, (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any Stock or Stock Equivalent now or hereafter outstanding or (iii) make any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, interest, fees, redemption, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to Subordinated Indebtedness (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above are referred to as “Restricted Payments”); except that:

(a) a Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall may pay a dividend or other distribution (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) to the holders of its Stock or Stock Equivalents on a pro rata basis;

(b) Axiall may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in its Stock or Stock Equivalents;

(c) SpinCo may make payments in connection with the Special Distribution;

(d) Axiall may make Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Available Amount;

(e) Axiall may pay any dividend or consummate any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement (assuming for purposes of this clause (e) that the giving of a redemption notice is a Restricted Payment);

(f) Axiall may make any Restricted Payments in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Axiall) of, Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall (other than Stock or Stock Equivalents constituting Indebtedness) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to Axiall; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from the Available Amount;

(g) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value Subordinated Indebtedness of a Credit Party with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Refinancing;

(h) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may repurchase or otherwise retire its Stock or Stock Equivalents in connection with the exercise, vesting or award of Stock or Stock Equivalents

 

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to employees or other qualified recipients made for compensation purposes, to the extent such Stock or Stock Equivalents so repurchased or retired represent the exercise price in respect of stock options, or the reduction in Stock or Stock Equivalents to account for payments in respect of withholding, income or similar taxes, paid by Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of such employees or other qualified recipients;

(i) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and pay regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Indebtedness of the type described in clause (h) of the definition thereof of Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued on or after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 5.5;

(j) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make loans or advances to employees or directors of Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under Section 5.6 hereof;

(k) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire Indebtedness of the type described in clause (h) of the definition thereof of Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Indebtedness of the same type;

(l) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed the sum of (A) $10.0 million during any calendar year (with unused amounts being available to be used in the following calendar year, but not in any succeeding calendar year) plus (B) the amount of any net cash proceeds received by or contributed to Axiall from the issuance and sale after the Closing Date of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall to its officers, directors or employees that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (l), plus (C) the net cash proceeds of any “key-man” life insurance policies that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (l);

(m) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Axiall may declare and pay dividends to the holders of common stock of Axiall and/or purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall pursuant to a repurchase program approved by Axiall’s board of directors; provided that the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid for all such dividends, purchases, repurchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements shall not exceed $150.0 million during any Fiscal Year; and

(n) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Axiall and is Restricted Subsidiaries may make other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75.0 million since the Closing Date.

5.12 Change in Business. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by it on the date hereof, or business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto.

 

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5.13 Change in Structure. Except as expressly permitted under Section 5.3, no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any changes in its equity capital structure, issue any Stock or Stock Equivalents or amend any of its Organization Documents, in each case, in any respect materially adverse to Administrative Agent or Lenders.

5.14 Changes in Accounting, Name or Jurisdiction of Organization. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, (ii) change the Fiscal Year or method for determining Fiscal Quarters of any Credit Party or of any consolidated Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (iii) change its name as it appears in official filings in its jurisdiction of organization or (iv) change its jurisdiction of organization, in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv), without at least twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to Administrative Agent and the acknowledgement of Administrative Agent that all actions required by Administrative Agent, including those to continue the perfection of its Liens, have been completed.

5.15 Amendments to Other Financing Documents and Subordinated Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to, change or amend the terms of any (i) Other Financing Documents in a manner prohibited by the Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable or (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness if the effect of such change or amendment with respect to such Subordinated Indebtedness is to: (A) increase the interest rate which is payable in cash on such Indebtedness by more than 200 basis points per annum; (B) shorten the dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness; (C) add or change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties any event of default or add or make materially more restrictive any covenant with respect to such Indebtedness; (D) change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties the prepayment provisions of such Indebtedness; or (E) change the subordination provisions thereof (or the subordination terms of any guaranty thereof) in a manner adverse to Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

5.16 No Negative Pledges.

(a) No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual restriction or encumbrance of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Credit Party’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalents or to pay fees, including management fees, or make other payments and distributions to the Borrower or any other Credit Party except pursuant to any document or instrument governing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsections 5.5(c), 5.5(f), 5.5(h), 5.5(k) and 5.5(m) (in each case that do not impair in any material respect, the Credit Parties’ ability to satisfy the Obligations (as determined by the Borrower in good faith). No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, assume or become subject to any Contractual Obligation prohibiting or otherwise restricting the existence of any Lien upon any of its assets in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired except (i) in connection with any document or instrument governing Liens permitted pursuant to subsections 5.1(a), 5.1(h), 5.1(l), 5.1(o), 5.1(p) and 5.1(v), provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such permitted Liens or (ii) contained in any agreement entered into in connection with a Permitted Acquisition.

(b) No Credit Party shall issue any Stock or Stock Equivalents (i) if such issuance would result in an Event of Default under subsection 7.1(k) and (ii) unless such Stock and Stock Equivalents are pledged to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for the Obligations, on substantially the same terms and conditions as the other Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Credit Party are pledged to Collateral Agent.

 

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5.17 OFAC; Patriot Act. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to fail to comply with the laws, regulations and executive orders.

5.18 Sale-Leasebacks. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to subsection 5.2(d), no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in a sale leaseback, synthetic lease or similar transaction involving any of its assets.

5.19 [Reserved].

5.20 [Reserved].

5.21 [Reserved].

5.22 [Reserved].

5.23 Permitted Reorganization. Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders hereby agree that certain restructuring transactions among the Borrower and their Subsidiaries to be entered into in connection with the Credit Parties’ global tax planning (the “Tax Planning Transactions”) may be consented to by Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) on behalf of the Requisite Lenders and that such Tax Planning Transactions shall not constitute “Investments” or “Dispositions” for purposes of the limitations of this Agreement; provided, however, that Administrative Agent shall withhold its consent (and shall be deemed to be acting reasonably in withholding such consent) to any such transactions that (i) adversely affect the perfection or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such Liens are replaced by perfected Liens with the same priority on assets with substantially equivalent value, as determined by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, (ii) adversely affect the value of any Collateral, including any Stock pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such Collateral is replaced with assets with substantially equivalent value, as determined by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, or (iii) release any Restricted Subsidiary from its Obligations under the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such guaranty is replaced with a replacement guaranty or other credit support with substantially equivalent value, as determined by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE VI.

FINANCIAL COVENANT

The Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall not and shall not permit any Credit Party or any of their Respective Subsidiaries, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

6.1 Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio. The Credit Parties shall not as of the end of the last day any Fiscal Quarter permit the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, on a pro forma basis, tested for the Test Period ending on the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which the Credit Parties were required to deliver financial statements to Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.1, to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) Non-Payment. Any Credit Party fails (i) to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, including after maturity of the Loans, (ii) to pay within three (3) Business Days after the same shall become due, any interest, or (iii) to pay within five (5) Business Days after the same shall become due, any fee or any other amount payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document;

(b) Representation or Warranty. Any representation, warranty or certification by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made or deemed made herein, in any other Loan Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement by any such Person, or their respective Responsible Officers, furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under any other Loan Document, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of other materiality qualifiers contained therein) on or as of the date made or deemed made;

(c) Specific Defaults. Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of subsection 4.2(a), 4.2(b), 4.3(a), 4.4(a) or 9.10(d), Section 4.1, 4.9, 4.10 or 4.17 or Article V or VI or the Fee Letter;

(d) Other Defaults. Any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such Default shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of (i) the date upon which a Responsible Officer of any Credit Party becomes aware of such Default and (ii) the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrower by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders;

(e) Cross Default. Any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or Contingent Obligation having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $50,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity (without regard to any subordination terms with respect thereto), or such Contingent Obligation to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded;

(f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. The Borrower ceases or fails, or the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, cease or fail, to be Solvent, or any Credit Party (i) generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course; (iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing;

 

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(g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is commenced or filed against any Credit Party, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against any such Person’s Properties with a value in excess of $50,000,000 individually or in the aggregate and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) any Credit Party admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) any Credit Party acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business;

(h) Monetary Judgments. One or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards shall be entered against any one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability of $50,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by insurance to the extent the relevant independent third party insurer has not denied coverage therefor), and the same shall remain unsatisfied, unvacated and unstayed pending appeal for a period of thirty (30) days after the entry thereof;

(i) Non-Monetary Judgments. One or more non-monetary judgments, orders or decrees shall be rendered against any one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries which has or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any period of ten (10) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

(j) Collateral. Any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party thereto or any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party shall so state in writing or bring an action to limit its obligations or liabilities thereunder; or any Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) cease to create a valid security interest in the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason cease to be a perfected and first priority security interest in the case of Notes Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and second priority security interest in the case of Revolving Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), in each case, subject only to Permitted Liens;

(k) Ownership. (i) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries, each taken as a whole, to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act); (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Axiall; (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting Stock of Axiall, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, (iv) upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, Axiall shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the voting Stock of SpinCo or (v) “Change of Control” (or other analogous terms or provision as defined in or reflected in any

 

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Other Financing Document) shall occur. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holding company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the Voting Stock of SpinCo (and following the PPG Acquisition, 100% of the Voting Stock of SpinCo or Axiall) shall not be deemed to be a “person” for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) above such that the Beneficial Owners of such holding company shall be the Beneficial Owners of SpinCo’s or Axiall’s, as applicable, Voting Stock for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) above; or

(l) Invalidity of Subordination Provisions. The lien subordination provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement or any agreement or instrument governing any Subordinated Indebtedness shall for any reason be revoked or invalidated, or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect, or any Person deny that it has any further liability or obligation thereunder, or the Obligations, for any reason shall not have the priority contemplated by this Agreement or such subordination provisions.

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders:

(a) declare all or any portion of the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans to be suspended or terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall forthwith be suspended or terminated;

(b) declare all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable; without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and/or

(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) above (in the case of clause (i) of subsection 7.1(g) upon the expiration of the sixty (60) day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable without further act of Administrative Agent or any Lender.

7.3 Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

ARTICLE VIII.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

8.1 Appointment and Duties.

(a) Appointment of Agents. Each Lender hereby appoints Barclays (together with any successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.9) as Administrative Agent hereunder and authorizes Administrative Agent to (i) execute and deliver the Loan Documents and accept delivery thereof on its behalf from any Credit Party, (ii) execute and deliver the Agreement on its behalf, (iii) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly

 

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delegated to Administrative Agent under such Loan Documents and (iv) exercise such powers as are incidental thereto. Each Lender hereby appoints U.S. Bank National Association (together with any successor) as its Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes such Collateral Agent to (i) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents and (ii) exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

(b) Pledge and Security Agreement. Each Lender (and each Secured Party by accepting the benefits of the Collateral Documents) (i) authorizes the Administrative Agent to become a party to the Pledge and Security Agreement on behalf of the Secured Parties by executing the Other Pari Passu Lien Secured Party Consent (as such term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) and to act as the Authorized Representative (as such term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) of the holders of the Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations evidenced by this Agreement for all purposes under the Secured Note Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Other Note Documents (as defined in the Secured Note Indenture), (ii) accepts and acknowledges the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement, including the provisions of the Secured Note Indenture incorporated therein by reference, (iii) authorizes the Administrative Agent to appoint and authorize the Collateral Agent, as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties under the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, to take such action as agent on its behalf and on behalf of all other Secured Parties and to exercise such powers under the Pledge and Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms thereof, and (iv) accepts and acknowledges the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it and agrees to be bound by the terms thereof applicable to holders of Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations, with all the rights and obligations of a Secured Party thereunder and bound by all the provisions thereof (including, without limitation, Section 9.3 thereof) as fully as if it had been a Secured Party on the effective date of the Intercreditor Agreement.

(c) Duties as Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of clause (a) above, Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority (to the exclusion of the Lenders), and is hereby authorized, to (i) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for the Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents (including in any proceeding described in subsection 7.1(g) or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding), and each Person making any payment in connection with any Loan Document to any Secured Party is hereby authorized to make such payment to Administrative Agent, (ii) file and prove claims and file other documents necessary or desirable to allow the claims of the Secured Parties with respect to any Obligation in any proceeding described in subsection 7.1(f) or (g) or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding (but not to vote, consent or otherwise act on behalf of such Person), (iii) instruct and direct the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents and manage, supervise and otherwise deal with the Collateral, (iv) take such other action as is necessary or desirable to maintain the perfection and priority of the Liens created or purported to be created by the Loan Documents, (v) except as may be otherwise specified in any Loan Document, exercise all remedies given to Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral, whether under the Loan Documents, applicable Requirements of Law or otherwise and (vii) execute any amendment, consent or waiver under the Loan Documents on behalf of any Lender that has consented in writing to such amendment, consent or waiver; provided, however, that Administrative Agent hereby appoints, authorizes and directs each Lender to act as collateral sub-agent for Collateral Agent and the Lenders for purposes of the perfection of Liens with respect to any deposit account maintained by a Credit Party with, and cash and Cash Equivalents held by, such Lender, and may further authorize and direct the Lenders to take further actions as collateral sub-agents for purposes of enforcing such Liens or otherwise to transfer the Collateral subject thereto to Collateral Agent, and each Lender hereby agrees to take such further actions to the extent, and only to the extent, so authorized and directed.

 

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(d) Limited Duties. Under the Loan Documents, each Agent (i) is acting solely on behalf of the Secured Parties (except to the limited extent provided in subsection 1.4(b) with respect to the Register), with duties that are entirely administrative in nature, notwithstanding the use of the defined term “Administrative Agent”, “Collateral Agent”, as applicable, or the terms “agent” and “collateral agent” and similar terms in any Loan Document to refer to any Agent, which terms are used for title purposes only, (ii) is not assuming any obligation under any Loan Document other than as expressly set forth therein or any role as agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender or any other Person and (iii) shall have no implied functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or other liabilities under any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, hereby waives and agrees not to assert any claim against any Agent based on the roles, duties and legal relationships expressly disclaimed in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

8.2 Binding Effect. Each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, agrees that (i) any action taken by Collateral Agent, Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if expressly required hereby, a greater proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, (ii) any action taken by Administrative Agent in reliance upon the instructions of Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion) and (iii) the exercise by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Secured Parties.

8.3 Use of Discretion.

(a) Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided, that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirement of Law; and

(b) Administrative Agent shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Credit Party or its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

8.4 Delegation of Rights and Duties. Administrative Agent may, upon any term or condition it specifies, delegate or exercise any of its rights, powers and remedies under, and delegate or perform any of its duties or any other action with respect to, any Loan Document by or through any trustee, co-agent, employee, attorney-in-fact and any other Person (including any Secured Party). Any such Person shall benefit from this Article VIII to the extent provided by Administrative Agent.

8.5 Reliance and Liability.

(a) Administrative Agent may, without incurring any liability hereunder, (i) treat the payee of any Note as its holder until such Note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.9, (ii) rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 1.4, (iii) consult with any of its Related Persons and, whether or not selected by it, any other advisors, accountants and other experts (including advisors to, and accountants and experts engaged by, any Credit Party) and (iv) rely and act upon any document and information (including those transmitted by Electronic Transmission) and any telephone message or conversation, in each case believed by it to be genuine and transmitted, signed or otherwise authenticated by the appropriate parties.

 

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(b) No Agent and no Related Person of any Agent shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, the Borrower and each other Credit Party hereby waives and shall not assert (and the Borrower shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and agree not to assert) any right, claim or cause of action based thereon, except to the extent of liabilities resulting primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or, as the case may be, such Related Person (each as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction) in connection with the duties expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the foregoing, no Agent:

(i) shall be responsible or otherwise incur liability for any action or omission taken in reliance upon the instructions of the Required Lenders or for the actions or omissions of any of its Related Persons selected with reasonable care (other than employees, officers and directors of Administrative Agent, when acting on behalf of Administrative Agent);

(ii) shall be responsible to any Lender or other Person for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Loan Document;

(iii) makes any warranty or representation, and no Agent shall be responsible, to any Lender or other Person for any statement, document, information, representation or warranty made or furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein or any other document or information with respect to any Credit Party, whether or not transmitted or (except for documents expressly required under any Loan Document to be transmitted to the Lenders) omitted to be transmitted by Administrative Agent, including as to completeness, accuracy, scope or adequacy thereof, or for the scope, nature or results of any due diligence performed by Administrative Agent in connection with the Loan Documents; and

(iv) shall have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any provision of any Loan Document, whether any condition set forth in any Loan Document is satisfied or waived, as to the financial condition of any Credit Party or as to the existence or continuation or possible occurrence or continuation of any Default or Event of Default and shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of such occurrence or continuation unless it has received a notice from the Borrower, any Lender describing such Default or Event of Default clearly labeled “notice of default” (in which case Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice of such receipt to all Lenders);

and, for each of the items set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above, each Lender and the Borrower hereby waives and agrees not to assert (and the Borrower shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and agree not to assert) any right, claim or cause of action it might have against any Agent based thereon.

(c) Each Lender (i) acknowledges that it has performed and will continue to perform its own diligence and has made and will continue to make its own independent investigation of the operations, financial conditions and affairs of the Credit Parties and (ii) agrees that is shall not rely on any audit or other report provided by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons (an “Administrative Agent Report”). Each Lender further acknowledges that any Administrative Agent Report (i) is provided to the Lenders solely as a courtesy, without consideration, and based upon the understanding that such Lender

 

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will not rely on such Administrative Agent Report, (ii) was prepared by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons based upon information provided by the Credit Parties solely for Administrative Agent’s own internal use, (iii) may not be complete and may not reflect all information and findings obtained by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons regarding the operations and condition of the Credit Parties. Neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons makes any representations or warranties of any kind with respect to (i) any existing or proposed financing, (ii) the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in any Administrative Agent Report or in any related documentation, (iii) the scope or adequacy of Administrative Agent’s and its Related Persons’ due diligence, or the presence or absence of any errors or omissions contained in any Administrative Agent Report or in any related documentation, and (iv) any work performed by Administrative Agent or Administrative Agent’s Related Persons in connection with or using any Administrative Agent Report or any related documentation.

(d) Neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall have any duties or obligations in connection with or as a result of any Lender receiving a copy of any Administrative Agent Report. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall have any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any Administrative Agent Report, or the appropriateness of any Administrative Agent Report for any Lender’s purposes, and shall have no duty or responsibility to correct or update any Administrative Agent Report or disclose to any Lender any other information not embodied in any Administrative Agent Report, including any supplemental information obtained after the date of any Administrative Agent Report. Each Lender releases, and agrees that it will not assert, any claim against Administrative Agent or its Related Persons that in any way relates to any Administrative Agent Report or arises out of any Lender having access to any Administrative Agent Report or any discussion of its contents.

8.6 Agents Individually. Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans and other extensions of credit to, acquire Stock and Stock Equivalents of, engage in any kind of business with, any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof as though it were not acting as such Agent and may receive separate fees and other payments therefor. To the extent any Agent or any of its Affiliates makes any Loan or otherwise becomes a Lender hereunder, it shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and shall be subject to the same obligations and liabilities as any other Lender and the terms “Lender”, “Required Lender” and any similar terms shall, except where otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document, include, without limitation, such Agent or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its individual capacity as Lender or as one of the Required Lenders.

8.7 Lender Credit Decision.

(a) Each Lender acknowledges that it shall, independently and without reliance upon any Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Related Persons or upon any document (including any offering and disclosure materials in connection with the syndication of the Loans) solely or in part because such document was transmitted by any Agent or any of their Related Persons, conduct its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each Credit Party and make and continue to make its own credit decisions in connection with entering into, and taking or not taking any action under, any Loan Document or with respect to any transaction contemplated in any Loan Document, in each case based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate. Except for documents expressly required by any Loan Document to be transmitted by any Agent to the Lenders, no Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party that may come in to the possession of such Agent or any of its Related Persons.

 

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(b) If any Lender has elected to abstain from receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates, such Lender acknowledges that, notwithstanding such election, Administrative Agent and/or the Credit Parties will, from time to time, make available syndicate-information (which may contain MNPI) as required by the terms of, or in the course of administering the Loans to the credit contact(s) identified for receipt of such information on the Lender’s administrative questionnaire who are able to receive and use all syndicate-level information (which may contain MNPI) in accordance with such Lender’s compliance policies and contractual obligations and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws; provided, that if such contact is not so identified in such questionnaire, the relevant Lender hereby agrees to promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) provide such a contact to Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties upon request therefor by Administrative Agent or the Credit Parties. Notwithstanding such Lender’s election to abstain from receiving MNPI, such Lender acknowledges that if such Lender chooses to communicate with Administrative Agent, it assumes the risk of receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates.

8.8 Expenses; Indemnities; Withholding.

(a) Each Lender agrees to reimburse each Agent and each of its Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by any Credit Party) promptly upon demand, severally and ratably, for any costs and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and Other Taxes paid in the name of, or on behalf of, any Credit Party) that may be incurred by such Agent or any of its Related Persons in connection with the preparation, syndication, execution, delivery, administration, modification, consent, waiver or enforcement (whether through negotiations, through any work-out, bankruptcy, restructuring, debtor-in-possession proceeding or other legal or other proceeding or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of its rights or responsibilities under, any Loan Document.

(b) Each Lender further agrees to indemnify each Agent and each of their respective Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by any Credit Party), severally and ratably, from and against Liabilities (including, as described in subsection 8.8(c) and to the extent not indemnified thereunder, taxes, interests and penalties imposed for not properly withholding or backup withholding on payments made to or for the account of any Lender and any taxes attributable to any Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.10(g) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent or any of its Related Persons in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of any Loan Document or any other act, event or transaction related, contemplated in or attendant to any such document, or, in each case, any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Agent or any of its Related Persons under or with respect to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable to any Agent or any of their respective Related Persons to the extent such liability has resulted primarily from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Agent or Related Person, as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order.

(c) To the extent required by any applicable law, Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender under a Loan Document an amount equal to any applicable withholding tax. If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate certification form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or fails to establish an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax with respect to a particular type of payment, or because such Lender failed to notify Administrative Agent or any other Person of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), or Administrative Agent reasonably determines that it was required to withhold taxes from a prior payment but failed to do so, such Lender shall promptly indemnify Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by such Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and together

 

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with all expenses incurred by Administrative Agent, including legal expenses, allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Administrative Agent may offset against any payment to any Lender under a Loan Document, any applicable withholding tax that was required to be withheld from any prior payment to such Lender but which was not so withheld, as well as any other amounts for which Administrative Agent is entitled to indemnification from such Lender under this Section 8.8(c).

8.9 Resignation of Agents.

(a) Any Agent may resign at any time by delivering notice of such resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower, effective on the date set forth in such notice or, if no such date is set forth therein, upon the date such notice shall be effective in accordance with the terms of this Section 8.9. If any Agent delivers any such notice, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If, within 30 days after the retiring Agent having given notice of resignation, no successor Agent has been appointed by the Required Lenders that has accepted such appointment, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent from among the Lenders. Each appointment under this clause (a) shall be subject to the prior consent of the Borrower, which may not be unreasonably withheld but shall not be required during the continuance of an Event of Default.

(b) Effective immediately upon its resignation, (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents, (ii) the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of such Agent until a successor Agent shall have accepted a valid appointment hereunder, (iii) the retiring Agent and its Related Persons shall no longer have the benefit of any provision of any Loan Document other than with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken while such retiring Agent was, or because such Agent had been, validly acting as an Agent under the Loan Documents and (iv) subject to its rights under Section 8.3, the retiring Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Agent its rights as such Agent under the Loan Documents. Effective immediately upon its acceptance of a valid appointment as such Agent, a successor Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent under the Loan Documents.

8.10 Release of Collateral or Guarantors. Each Lender hereby consents to the release and hereby directs Administrative Agent to instruct the Collateral Agent to release (or, in the case of clause (b)(ii) below, release or subordinate) the following:

(a) any Credit Party (other than Axiall and SpinCo) from its Obligation if all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Credit Party owned by any Credit Party are sold or transferred to a Person that is not a Credit Party in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including pursuant to a waiver or consent); and

(b) any Lien held by Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties against (i) any Collateral that is sold, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of by a Credit Party to a Person that is not a Credit Party in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents (including pursuant to a waiver or consent), (ii) any property subject to a Lien permitted hereunder in reliance upon subsection 5.1(h) and (iii) all of the Collateral and all Credit Parties, upon (A) termination of the Term Loan Commitments, (B) payment and satisfaction in full of all Loans and all other Obligations under the Loan Documents, that Administrative Agent has theretofore been notified in writing by the holder of such Obligation are then due and payable, (C) deposit of cash collateral with respect to all contingent Obligations, in amounts and on terms and conditions and with parties satisfactory to Administrative Agent and each Indemnitee that is, or may be, owed such Obligations (excluding contingent Obligations as to which no claim has been asserted) and (D) to the extent requested by Administrative Agent, receipt by Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties of liability releases from the Credit Parties, each in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

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Each Lender hereby directs Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent hereby agrees, upon receipt of at least five (5) Business Days’ advance notice from the Borrower, to (or to cause Collateral Agent to) execute and deliver or file such documents and to perform other actions reasonably necessary to release the guaranties and Liens when and as directed in this Section 8.10.

8.11 Additional Secured Parties. The benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not a Lender party hereto as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among Administrative Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by Administrative Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent) this Article VIII and Sections 9.3, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11, 9.17 and 10.1 and the decisions and actions of Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) each of Administrative Agent, the Lenders party hereto shall be entitled to act at its sole discretion, without regard to the interest of such Secured Party, regardless of whether any Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Obligation and (b) except as otherwise set forth herein, such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.

8.12 The Arrangers, the Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Arrangers, Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents shall not have any duties or responsibilities, nor shall the Arrangers or Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agents have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Arrangers, Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents. At any time that any Lender serving (or whose Affiliate is serving) as an Arranger and/or Syndication Agent and/or Co-Documentation Agents shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any Affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans and the Term Loan Commitment, such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender acting as an Arranger or Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agents) shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Arranger and/or Syndication Agent and/or Co-Documentation Agents.

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Amendments and Waivers.

(a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders), and the Borrower, and then such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders directly affected thereby (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of all the Lenders directly affected thereby), in addition to Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrower, do any of the following:

(i) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender;

 

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(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed for, or reduce or waive, any scheduled installment of principal or any payment of interest, fees or other amounts (other than principal) due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document (for the avoidance of doubt, mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 1.8 (other than scheduled installments under subsection 1.8(a)) may be postponed, delayed, waived or modified with the consent of Required Lenders);

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein or the amount of interest payable in cash specified herein on any Loan, or of any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; provided, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the rate set forth in subsection 1.3(c) during the continuance of an Event of Default;

(iv) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder;

(v) amend this Section 9.1, subsection 9.11(b) or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any provision providing for consent or other action by all Lenders; or

(vi) discharge any Credit Party from its respective payment Obligations under the Loan Documents, or release all or substantially all of the Collateral, except as otherwise may be provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

it being agreed that all Lenders shall be deemed to be directly affected by an amendment or waiver of the type described in the preceding clauses (iv), (v) and (vi).

(b) No amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent in addition to the Required Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby, as the case may be (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders or all the Lenders directly affected thereby, as the case may be), affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1, (w) the Borrower may amend Schedules 3.19 and 3.21 upon notice to Administrative Agent, (x) Administrative Agent may amend Schedule 1.1 to reflect Sales entered into pursuant to Section 9.9, (y) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement, and (z) Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend or modify this Agreement and any other Loan Document to (1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein or (2) grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties, extend an existing Lien over additional property for the benefit of the Secured Parties or join additional Persons as Credit Parties.

 

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9.2 Notices.

(a) Addresses. All notices and other communications required or expressly authorized to be made by this Agreement shall be given in writing, unless otherwise expressly specified herein, and (i) addressed to the address set forth on Schedule 9.2 hereto, (ii) posted to Intralinks® (to the extent such system is available and set up by or at the direction of Administrative Agent prior to posting) in an appropriate location by uploading such notice, demand, request, direction or other communication to www.intralinks.com, faxing it to 1-866-545-6600 with an appropriate bar-code fax coversheet or using such other means of posting to Intralinks® as may be available and reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent prior to such posting, (iii) posted to any other E-System approved by or set up by or at the direction of Administrative Agent or (iv) addressed to such other address as shall be notified in writing (A) in the case of the Borrower, Administrative Agent, to the other parties hereto and (B) in the case of all other parties, to the Borrower and Administrative Agent. Transmissions made by electronic mail or E-Fax to Administrative Agent shall be effective only (x) for notices where such transmission is specifically authorized by this Agreement, (y) if such transmission is delivered in compliance with procedures of Administrative Agent applicable at the time and previously communicated to Borrower, and (z) if receipt of such transmission is acknowledged by Administrative Agent.

(b) Effectiveness. (i) All communications described in clause (a) above and all other notices, demands, requests and other communications made in connection with this Agreement shall be effective and be deemed to have been received (i) if delivered by hand, upon personal delivery, (ii) if delivered by overnight courier service, one (1) Business Day after delivery to such courier service, (iii) if delivered by mail, three (3) Business Days after deposit in the mail, (iv) if delivered by facsimile (other than to post to an E-System pursuant to clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above), upon sender’s receipt of confirmation of proper transmission, and (v) if delivered by posting to any E-System, on the later of the Business Day of such posting and the Business Day access to such posting is given to the recipient thereof in accordance with the standard procedures applicable to such E-System; provided, however, that no communications to Administrative Agent pursuant to Article I shall be effective until received by Administrative Agent.

(ii) The posting, completion and/or submission by any Credit Party of any communication pursuant to an E System shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Credit Parties that any representation, warranty, certification or other similar statement required by the Loan Documents to be provided, given or made by a Credit Party in connection with any such communication is true, correct and complete except as expressly noted in such communication or E-System.

(c) Each Lender shall notify Administrative Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to such Lender should be directed, of addresses of its Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such other administrative information as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

9.3 Electronic Transmissions.

(a) Authorization. Subject to the provisions of subsection 9.2(a), each of Administrative Agent, Lenders, each Credit Party and each of their Related Persons, is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. Each Credit Party and each Secured Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions.

 

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(b) Signatures. Subject to the provisions of subsection 9.2(a), (i) (A) no posting to any E-System shall be denied legal effect merely because it is made electronically, (B) each E-Signature on any such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “signature” and (C) each such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “writing”, in each case including pursuant to any Loan Document, any applicable provision of any UCC, the federal Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any substantive or procedural Requirement of Law governing such subject matter, (ii) each such posting that is not readily capable of bearing either a signature or a reproduction of a signature may be signed, and shall be deemed signed, by attaching to, or logically associating with such posting, an E-Signature, upon which Administrative Agent, each Secured Party and each Credit Party may rely and assume the authenticity thereof, (iii) each such posting containing a signature, a reproduction of a signature or an E-Signature shall, for all intents and purposes, have the same effect and weight as a signed paper original and (iv) each party hereto or beneficiary hereto agrees not to contest the validity or enforceability of any posting on any E-System or E-Signature on any such posting under the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law requiring certain documents to be in writing or signed; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit such party’s or beneficiary’s right to contest whether any posting to any E-System or E-Signature has been altered after transmission.

(c) Separate Agreements. All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to Section 9.2 and this Section 9.3, the separate terms, conditions and privacy policy posted or referenced in such E-System (or such terms, conditions and privacy policy as may be updated from time to time, including on such E-System) and related Contractual Obligations executed by Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties in connection with the use of such E-System.

(d) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. ALL E-SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NONE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS WARRANTS THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THEREIN. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY E SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. Each of the Borrower, each other Credit Party executing this Agreement and each Secured Party agrees that Administrative Agent has no responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System.

9.4 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender, 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. No course of dealing between any Credit Party, any Affiliate of any Credit Party, Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

9.5 Costs and Expenses. Any action taken by the Borrower under or with respect to any Loan Document, even if required under any Loan Document or at the request of any Agent or Required Lenders, shall be at the expense of the Borrower, and no Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required under any Loan Document to reimburse the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower therefor

 

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except as expressly provided therein. The Borrower will also pay (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Arrangers incurred prior to the Successful Syndication (as defined in the Fee Letter) and the Agents incurred prior to, on or after the Closing Date (to be paid on the Closing Date if invoiced prior to the Closing Date, and for expenses incurred or invoiced thereafter, within 30 days of a written demand therefor) associated with the syndication of the Term Loan Facility and the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendment or waiver with respect thereto (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Arrangers and the Agents, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected Persons taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction and of one special counsel to all such Persons, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional local and special counsel to all affected Persons, taken as a whole)) and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Arrangers, the Agents and the Lenders within 30 days of a written demand therefor (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to the Arrangers, the Agents and the Lenders, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected Persons taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction and of one special counsel to all such Persons, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional local and special counsel to all affected persons, taken as a whole)) in connection with the cost of (i) any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work-out”, (ii) the enforcement or preservation of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, any Obligation, with respect to the Collateral or any other related right or remedy or (iii) the commencement, defense, conduct of, intervention in, or the taking of any other action with respect to, any proceeding (including any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) related to any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, Loan Document, Obligation or Transaction (or the response to and preparation for any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), including Attorney Costs.

9.6 Indemnity.

(a) Each Credit Party agrees jointly and severally to indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Agent, each Lender, each Arranger and each of their respective Related Persons (each such Person being an “Indemnitee”) from and against all Liabilities (including brokerage commissions, fees and other compensation that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of (i) any Loan Document, the Transactions, any Obligation (or the repayment thereof), the use or intended use of the proceeds of any Loan or any securities filing of, or with respect to, any Credit Party, (ii) any commitment letter, proposal letter or term sheet with any Person or any Contractual Obligation, arrangement or understanding with any broker, finder or consultant, in each case entered into by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any of them in connection with any of the foregoing and any Contractual Obligation entered into in connection with any E-Systems or other Electronic Transmissions, (iii) any actual or prospective investigation, claim, litigation or other proceeding, whether or not brought by any such Indemnitee or any of its Related Persons, any holders of securities or creditors (and including Attorney Costs in any case, but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one counsel to such Indemnified Persons taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction and of one special counsel to all such Persons, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, additional local and special counsel to all similarly affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole), any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party, or any third Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee, Related Person, holder, creditor, Credit Party, Affiliate of a Credit Party or any third Person

 

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is a party thereto, and whether or not based on any securities or commercial law or regulation or any other Requirement of Law or theory thereof, including common law, equity, contract, tort or otherwise or (iv) any other act, event or transaction related, contemplated in or attendant to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Indemnified Matters”); provided, however, that no Credit Party shall have any liability under this Section 9.6 to any Indemnitee with respect to any Indemnified Matter to the extent such liability has resulted primarily from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order or any dispute solely among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role Administrative Agent or Arranger or any similar role under this Agreement and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of SpinCo, Axiall or any of their respective Affiliates. Furthermore, the Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert against any Indemnitee, and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and not assert against any Indemnitee, any right of contribution with respect to any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Related Person. Under no circumstances shall any Indemnitee be liable to any Credit Party or any Affiliate of a Credit Party for any punitive, exemplary, consequential or indirect damages which may be alleged in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, “Indemnified Matters” includes all Environmental Liabilities, including without limitation those arising from, or otherwise involving the current and former operations of or any property of any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party or any actual, alleged or prospective damage to property or natural resources or harm or injury alleged to have resulted from any Release of Hazardous Materials on, upon or into such property or natural resource or any property on or contiguous to any Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Related Person or any Credit Party, whether or not, with respect to any such Environmental Liabilities, any Indemnitee is a mortgagee pursuant to any leasehold mortgage, a mortgagee in possession, the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party or the owner, lessee or operator of any property of any Related Person through any foreclosure action.

9.7 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. No Secured Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any property in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any Obligation. To the extent that any Secured Party receives a payment from the Borrower, from any other Credit Party, from the proceeds of the Collateral, from the exercise of its rights of setoff, any enforcement action or otherwise, and such payment is subsequently, in whole or in part, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not occurred.

9.8 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, that any assignment by any Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.9, and provided, further, that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any purported assignment or transfer without such consents shall be null and void).

9.9 Assignments and Participations; Binding Effect.

(a) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the other Credit Parties signatory hereto and Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have been notified by each Lender that such Lender has executed it. Thereafter, it shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, but only to the benefit of, the Borrower

 

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and the other Credit Parties signatory hereto (in each case except for Article VIII), Administrative Agent and each Lender receiving the benefits of the Loan Documents and, to the extent provided in Section 8.11, each other Secured Party, each of the Indemnitees and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in any Loan Document (including in Section 8.9), none of the Credit Parties or Administrative Agent shall have the right to assign any rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein.

(b) Right to Assign. Each Lender may sell, transfer, negotiate or assign (a “Sale”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations hereunder (including all or a portion of its Commitments and its rights and obligations with respect to Loans) to (i) any existing Lender, (ii) any Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender or (iii) any other Person (other than a Competitor or, except as provided in clause (g) below, a Credit Party or an Affiliate of a Credit Party) acceptable (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to Administrative Agent that is a Lender and, as long as no Event of Default under Section 7.1(a), 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) is continuing, the Borrower (which acceptances shall be deemed to have been given unless an objection is delivered to Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after notice of a proposed sale is delivered to Borrower) (it being understood that Barclays may sell a portion of its Commitments to other entities for which Barclays and its Affiliates have agreed to service and manage those Commitments without any such acceptance from Administrative Agent or the Borrower); provided, however, that (w) for each Loan, the aggregate outstanding principal amount (determined as of the effective date of the applicable Assignment) of the Loans subject to any such Sale shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, unless such Sale is made to an existing Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender, is of the assignor’s (together with its Affiliates and Approved Funds) entire interest in such facility or is made with the prior consent of the Borrower (to the extent required) and Administrative Agent, (x) such Sales shall be effective only upon the acknowledgement in writing of such Sale by Administrative Agent and (y) such Sales by Non-Funding Lenders shall be subject to Administrative Agent’s and the Borrower’s prior written consent in all instances (such consent by the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In no event shall any Sale of all or a portion of any Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder (including all or a portion of its Commitments and its rights and obligations with respect to Loans) to a Credit Party or an Affiliate of a Credit Party be permitted.

(c) Procedure. The parties to each Sale made in reliance on clause (b) above (other than those described in clause (e) or (f) below) shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment via an electronic settlement system designated by Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with Administrative Agent, via a manual execution and delivery of the Assignment) evidencing such Sale, together with any existing Note subject to such Sale (or any affidavit of loss therefor acceptable to Administrative Agent), any tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 10.1 and payment of an assignment fee (which may be waived by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) in the amount of $3,500 to Administrative Agent, unless waived or reduced by Administrative Agent.

(d) Effectiveness. Subject to the recording of an Assignment by Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to subsection 1.4(b), (i) the assignee thereunder shall become a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations under the Loan Documents have been assigned to such assignee pursuant to such Assignment, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender, (ii) any applicable Note shall be transferred to such assignee through such entry and (iii) the assignor thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations under this Agreement have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment, relinquish its rights (except for those surviving the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the Obligations) and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, other than those relating to events or circumstances occurring prior to such assignment (and, in the case of an Assignment covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

 

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(e) Grant of Security Interests. In addition to the other rights provided in this Section 9.9, each Lender may grant a security interest in, or otherwise assign as collateral, any of its rights under this Agreement, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including rights to payments of principal or interest on the Loans), to (A) any federal reserve bank (pursuant to Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board), without notice to Administrative Agent or (B) any holder of, or trustee for the benefit of the holders of, such Lender’s Indebtedness or equity securities, by notice to Administrative Agent; provided, however, that no such holder or trustee, whether because of such grant or assignment or any foreclosure thereon (unless such foreclosure is made through an assignment in accordance with clause (b) above), shall be entitled to any rights of such Lender hereunder and no such Lender shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder.

(f) Participants and SPVs. In addition to the other rights provided in this Section 9.9, each Lender may, (x) with notice to Administrative Agent, grant to an SPV the option to make all or any part of any Loan that such Lender would otherwise be required to make hereunder (and the exercise of such option by such SPV and the making of Loans pursuant thereto shall satisfy the obligation of such Lender to make such Loans hereunder) and such SPV may assign to such Lender the right to receive payment with respect to any Obligation and (y) without notice to or consent from Administrative Agent or the Borrower, sell participations to one or more Persons in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents (including all its rights and obligations with respect to the Loans); provided, however, that, whether as a result of any term of any Loan Document or of such grant or participation, (i) no such SPV or participant shall have a commitment, or be deemed to have made an offer to commit, to make Loans hereunder, and, except as provided in the applicable option agreement, none shall be liable for any obligation of such Lender hereunder, (ii) such Lender’s rights and obligations, and the rights and obligations of the Credit Parties and the Secured Parties towards such Lender, under any Loan Document shall remain unchanged and each other party hereto shall continue to deal solely with such Lender, which shall remain the holder of the Obligations in the Register, except that (A) each such participant and SPV shall be entitled to the benefit of Article X, but, with respect to Section 10.1, only to the extent such participant or SPV delivers the tax forms such Lender is required to collect pursuant to subsection 10.1(f) and then only to the extent of any amount to which such Lender would be entitled in the absence of any such grant or participation (except to the extent entitled to receive a greater amount results from a change in law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation) and (B) each such SPV may receive other payments that would otherwise be made to such Lender with respect to Loans funded by such SPV to the extent provided in the applicable option agreement and set forth in a notice provided to Administrative Agent by such SPV and such Lender, provided, however, that in no case (including pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above) shall an SPV or participant have the right to enforce any of the terms of any Loan Document, and (iii) the consent of such SPV or participant shall not be required (either directly, as a restraint on such Lender’s ability to consent hereunder or otherwise) for any amendments, waivers or consents with respect to any Loan Document or to exercise or refrain from exercising any powers or rights such Lender may have under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including the right to enforce or direct enforcement of the Obligations), except for those described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection 9.1(a) with respect to amounts, or dates fixed for payment of amounts, to which such participant or SPV would otherwise be entitled and, in the case of participants, except for those described in clause (vi) of subsection 9.1(a). No party hereto shall institute (and the Borrower shall cause each other Credit Party not to institute) against any SPV grantee of an option pursuant to this clause (f) any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper of such SPV; provided, however, that each Lender having designated an SPV as such agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against any Liability that may be incurred by, or asserted against, such Indemnitee as a result of failing to institute such proceeding (including a failure to get reimbursed by such SPV for any such Liability). The agreement in the preceding sentence shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the Obligations.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender may assign all or any portion of its Loans hereunder to the Borrower, but only if:

(i) such assignment is made pursuant to a Dutch Auction open to Lenders on a pro rata basis and in accordance with the provisions of Discounted Voluntary Prepayments in Section 1.8(i); and

(ii) any such Loans shall be automatically and permanently cancelled immediately upon acquisition thereof by the Borrower.

9.10 Non-Public Information; Confidentiality.

(a) Non-Public Information. Administrative Agent and each Lender acknowledges and agrees that it may receive material non-public information (“MNPI”) hereunder concerning the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and agrees to use such information in compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and applicable Requirements of Laws (including United States federal and state security laws and regulations).

(b) Confidential Information. Each Lender and each Agent agrees to use all reasonable efforts to maintain, in accordance with its customary practices, the confidentiality of information obtained by it pursuant to any Loan Document and designated in writing by any Credit Party as confidential, except that such information may be disclosed (i) with the Borrower’s consent, (ii) to Related Persons of such Lender or Agent, as the case may be, that are advised of the confidential nature of such information, are instructed to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms hereof and such Person agrees to be bound by the confidentiality provisions set forth herein, (iii) to the extent such information presently is or hereafter becomes (A) publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.10 or (B) available to such Lender or Agent or any of their Related Persons, as the case may be, from a source (other than any Credit Party) not known by them to be subject to disclosure restrictions, (iv) to the extent disclosure is required by applicable Requirements of Law or other legal process or requested or demanded by any Governmental Authority, (v) to the extent necessary or customary for inclusion in league table measurements, (vi) (A) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization, any examiner or any nationally recognized rating agency or (B) otherwise to the extent consisting of general portfolio information that does not identify Credit Parties, (vii) to current or prospective assignees, SPVs (including the investors or prospective investors therein) or participants, direct or contractual counterparties to any Secured Rate Contracts and to their respective Related Persons, in each case to the extent such assignees, investors, participants, counterparties or Related Persons agree to be bound by provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section 9.10 (and such Person may disclose information to its Related Persons in accordance with clause (ii) above), (viii) to any other party hereto, and (ix) in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, in connection with any litigation or other proceeding to which such Lender or Agent or any of their Related Persons is a party or bound, or to the extent necessary to respond to public statements or disclosures by Credit Parties or their Related Persons referring to a Lender or Agent or any of their Related Persons. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 9.10 and those of any other Contractual Obligation entered into with any Credit Party (whether or not a Loan Document), the terms of this Section 9.10 shall govern.

(c) Tombstones. Each Credit Party consents to the publication by any Agent or any Lender of advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using any Credit Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark. Such Agent or such Lender shall provide a draft of any advertising material to Borrower for review and comment prior to the publication thereof.

 

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(d) Press Release and Related Matters. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or other public disclosure (other than any document filed with any Governmental Authority relating to a public offering of securities of any Credit Party) using the name, logo or otherwise referring to Barclays or of any of its Affiliates, the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated therein to which Administrative Agent is party without the prior consent of Barclays except to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law and then, only after consulting with Barclays.

(e) Distribution of Materials to Lenders. The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the Loan Documents and all reports, notices, communications and other information or materials provided or delivered by, or on behalf of, the Credit Parties hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) may be disseminated by, or on behalf of, Administrative Agent, and made available, to the Lenders by posting such Borrower Materials on an E-System. The Credit Parties authorize Administrative Agent to download copies of their logos from its website and post copies thereof on an E-System.

(f) Material Non-Public Information. The Credit Parties hereby agree that if either they, any parent company or any Subsidiary of the Credit Parties has publicly traded equity or debt securities in the U.S., they shall (and shall cause such parent company or Subsidiary, as the case may be, to) (i) identify in writing, and (ii) to the extent reasonably practicable, clearly and conspicuously mark such Borrower Materials that contain only information that is publicly available or that is not material for purposes of U.S. federal and state securities laws as “PUBLIC”. The Credit Parties agree that by identifying such Borrower Materials as “PUBLIC” or publicly filing such Borrower Materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission, then Administrative Agent, the Lenders shall be entitled to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any MNPI for purposes of U.S. federal and state securities laws. The Credit Parties further represent, warrant, acknowledge and agree that the following documents and materials shall be deemed to be PUBLIC, whether or not so marked, and do not contain any MNPI: (A) the Loan Documents, including the schedules and exhibits attached thereto, and (B) administrative materials of a customary nature prepared by the Credit Parties or Administrative Agent (including, Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion/Continuation requests and any similar requests or notices posted on or through an E-System). Before distribution of any Borrower Materials, the Credit Parties agree to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent a letter authorizing distribution of the evaluation materials to prospective Lenders and their employees willing to receive MNPI, and a separate letter authorizing distribution of evaluation materials that do not contain MNPI and represent that no MNPI is contained therein.

(g) Participant Register. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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9.11 Set-off; Sharing of Payments.

(a) Right of Setoff. Each of Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Affiliate (including each branch office thereof) of any of them is hereby authorized, without notice or demand (each of which is hereby waived by each Credit Party), at any time and from time to time during the continuance of any Event of Default and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (whether general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness, claims or other obligations at any time owing by Administrative Agent, such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party against any Obligation of any Credit Party now or hereafter existing, whether or not any demand was made under any Loan Document with respect to such Obligation and even though such Obligation may be unmatured. Each of Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights under this Section 9.11 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that Administrative Agent, the Lenders, their Affiliates and the other Secured Parties may have.

(b) Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Lender, directly or through an Affiliate or branch office thereof, obtains any payment of any Obligation of any Credit Party (whether voluntary, involuntary or through the exercise of any right of setoff or the receipt of any Collateral or “proceeds” (as defined under the applicable UCC) of Collateral) other than pursuant to a Dutch Auction pursuant to Section 1.8(i), Section 9.9 or Article X and such payment exceeds the amount such Lender would have been entitled to receive if all payments had gone to, and been distributed by, Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, such Lender shall purchase for cash from other Lenders such participations in their Obligations as necessary for such Lender to share such excess payment with such Lenders to ensure such payment is applied as though it had been received by Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with this Agreement (or, if such application would then be at the discretion of the Borrower, applied to repay the Obligations in accordance herewith); provided, however, that (a) if such payment is rescinded or otherwise recovered from such Lender in whole or in part, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price therefor shall be returned to such Lender without interest and (b) such Lender shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be able to exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of setoff) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the applicable Credit Party in the amount of such participation. If a Non-Funding Lender receives any such payment as described in the previous sentence, such Lender shall turn over such payments to Administrative Agent.

9.12 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or Electronic Transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.13 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

9.14 Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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9.15 Independence of Provisions. The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

9.16 Interpretation. This Agreement is the result of negotiations among and has been reviewed by counsel to the Credit Parties, Administrative Agent, each Lender and other parties hereto, and is the product of all parties hereto. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be construed against the Lenders or Administrative Agent merely because of Administrative Agent’s or Lenders’ involvement in the preparation of such documents and agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto has had the advice of counsel with respect to Sections 9.18 and 9.19.

9.17 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Borrower, the Lenders, the Agents and, subject to the provisions of Section 8.11, each other Secured Party, and their permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. No Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to any Person not a party to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

9.18 Governing Law and Jurisdiction.

(a) Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN ALL MATTERS ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDED THAT THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DEFINITION OF “CLOSING DATE MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT” (AND WHETHER OR NOT A CLOSING DATE MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT HAS OCCURRED) SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS SUCH AS THE PPG MERGER AGREEMENT.

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to any Loan Document shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the State of New York located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts; provided, that nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of Administrative Agent to commence any proceeding in the federal or state courts of any other jurisdiction to the extent Administrative Agent determines that such action is necessary or appropriate to exercise its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto (and, to the extent set forth in any other Loan Document, each other Credit Party) hereby irrevocably waive any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, that any of them may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such jurisdictions.

(c) Service of Process. Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and other documents and other service of process of any kind and consents to such service in any suit, action or proceeding brought in the United States of America with respect to or otherwise arising out of or in connection with any Loan Document by any means permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, including by the mailing thereof (by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) to the address of the Borrower specified herein (and shall be effective

 

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when such mailing shall be effective, as provided therein). Each Credit Party 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.

(d) Non-Exclusive Jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this Section 9.18 shall affect the right of Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Requirements of Law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any Credit Party in any other jurisdiction.

9.19 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.

9.20 Entire Agreement; Release; Survival.

(a) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF AND ANY PRIOR LETTER OF INTEREST, COMMITMENT LETTER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND SIMILAR AGREEMENTS INVOLVING ANY CREDIT PARTY AND ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES RELATING TO A FINANCING OF SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM, PURPOSE OR EFFECT OTHER THAN THE FEE LETTER. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN (UNLESS SUCH TERMS OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, IN WHICH CASE SUCH TERMS SHALL GOVERN TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO COMPLY THEREWITH).

(b) Execution of this Agreement by the Credit Parties constitutes a full, complete and irrevocable release of any and all claims which each Credit Party may have at law or in equity in respect of all prior discussions and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings). Each of the Borrower and each other Credit Party signatory hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive, release and agree) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

(c) (i) Any indemnification or other protection provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 9.20, Sections 9.5 (Costs and Expenses) and 9.6 (Indemnity) and Articles VIII (Administrative Agent) and X (Taxes, Yield Protection and Illegality), and (ii) the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement, in each case, shall (x) survive the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of all other Obligations and (y) with respect to clause (i) above, inure to the benefit of any Person that at any time held a right thereunder (as an Indemnitee or otherwise) and, thereafter, its successors and permitted assigns.

9.21 Patriot Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

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9.22 Replacement of Lender. Within forty-five days after: (i) receipt by the Borrower of written notice and demand from any Lender that is not Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of Administrative Agent (an “Affected Lender”) for payment of indemnified taxes or additional costs as provided in Sections 10.1, 10.3 and/or 10.6; or (ii) any failure by any Lender (other than Administrative Agent) to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to any Loan Document in which Required Lenders have already consented to such amendment, waiver or modification but the consent of each Lender (or each Lender directly affected thereby, as applicable) is required with respect thereto, the Borrower may, at its option, notify Administrative Agent and such Affected Lender or such non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, of the Borrower’s intention to obtain, at the Borrower’s expense, a replacement Lender (“Replacement Lender”) for such Affected Lender or such non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, which Replacement Lender shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. In the event the Borrower obtains a Replacement Lender within sixty (60) days following notice of its intention to do so, the Affected Lender or non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, shall sell and assign its Loans and Commitments to such Replacement Lender, at par, provided that the Borrower has reimbursed such Affected Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment. In the event that a replaced Lender does not execute an Assignment pursuant to Section 9.9 within five (5) Business Days after receipt by such replaced Lender of notice of replacement pursuant to this Section 9.22 and presentation to such replaced Lender of an Assignment evidencing an assignment pursuant to this Section 9.22, the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute such an Assignment on behalf of such replaced Lender, and any such Assignment so executed by the Borrower, the Replacement Lender and Administrative Agent, shall be effective for purposes of this Section 9.22 and Section 9.9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Lender that is a Non-Funding Lender, the Borrower or Administrative Agent may obtain a Replacement Lender and execute an Assignment on behalf of such Non-Funding Lender at any time and without prior notice to such Non-Funding Lender and cause its Loans and Commitments to be sold and assigned at par. Upon any such assignment and payment and compliance with the other provisions of Section 9.9, such replaced Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided, any rights of such replaced Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive.

9.23 [Reserved].

9.24 Creditor-Debtor Relationship. The relationship between Administrative Agent, each Lender, on the one hand, and the Credit Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor. No Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Credit Party arising out of or in connection with, and there is no agency, tenancy or joint venture relationship between the Secured Parties and the Credit Parties by virtue of, any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.

9.25 [Reserved].

9.26 Actions in Concert. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights against any Credit Party arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including exercising any rights of setoff) without first obtaining the prior written consent of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders.

 

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ARTICLE X.

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

10.1 Taxes.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.1, each payment by any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority and all liabilities with respect thereto (and without deduction for any of them) other than Excluded Taxes (collectively, but excluding the Excluded Taxes, the “Taxes”).

(b) If any Taxes shall be required by law to be deducted from or in respect of any amount payable by any Credit Party under any Loan Document to any Secured Party (i) such amount shall be increased as necessary to ensure that, after all required deductions for Taxes are made (including deductions applicable to any increases to any amount under this Section 10.1), such Secured Party receives the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the relevant Credit Party shall make such deductions, (iii) the relevant Credit Party shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iv) within 30 days after such payment is made, the relevant Credit Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent an original or certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; provided, however, that no such increase shall be made with respect to, and no Credit Party shall be required to indemnify any Secured Party pursuant to clause (d) below for, (x) withholding taxes to the extent that the obligation to withhold amounts existed on the date that such Person became a “Secured Party” under this Agreement in the capacity under which such Person makes a claim under this clause (b) or clause (d) below, designates a new Lending Office or experiences a change in circumstances (other than a change in a Requirement of Law), except in each case to the extent such Person is a direct or indirect assignee (other than pursuant to Section 9.22) of any other Secured Party that was entitled, at the time the assignment to such Person became effective, or such Secured Party was entitled at the time of designation of a new Lending Office or change in circumstances, to receive additional amounts under this clause (b) or clause (d) below, or (y) any United States backup withholding tax required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Secured Party that is subject to backup withholding due to (A) notified payee underreporting of reportable interest or dividend payments or other reportable payments or (B) the IRS notifying Administrative Agent or Borrower that the furnished taxpayer identification number is incorrect.

(c) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay, and authorize Administrative Agent to pay in their name, any stamp, documentary, excise or property tax, charges or similar levies imposed by any applicable Requirement of Law or Governmental Authority and all Liabilities with respect thereto (including by reason of any delay in payment thereof), in each case arising from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein (collectively, “Other Taxes”). Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Other Taxes by any Credit Party, the Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 9.2, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

(d) The Borrower shall reimburse and indemnify, within 30 days after receipt of demand therefor (with copy to Administrative Agent), each Secured Party for all Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 10.1) paid by such Secured Party and any Liabilities arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. A certificate of the Secured Party (or of Administrative Agent on behalf of such Secured Party) claiming any compensation under this clause (d),

 

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setting forth the amounts to be paid thereunder and delivered to the Borrower with copy to Administrative Agent, shall be conclusive, binding and final for all purposes, absent manifest error. In determining such amount, Administrative Agent and such Secured Party may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(e) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 10.1 shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and Requirements of Law) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office if such a change would reduce any such additional amounts (or any similar amount that may thereafter accrue) and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

(f) (i) Each Non-U.S. Lender Party that, at any of the following times, is entitled to an exemption from United States withholding tax or is subject to such withholding tax at a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty, shall (w) on or prior to the date such Non-U.S. Lender Party becomes a “Non-U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (x) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (y) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (i) and (z) from time to time if requested by the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide Administrative Agent and the Borrower (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) with two completed and signed originals of each of the following, as applicable: (A) Forms W-8ECI (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding tax because the income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), W-8BEN (claiming exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty) and/or W-8IMY (together with appropriate forms, certifications and supporting statements) or any successor forms, (B) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender Party claiming exemption under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, Form W-8BEN (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the portfolio interest exemption) or any successor form and a certificate in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent that such Non-U.S. Lender Party is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code or (C) any other applicable document prescribed by the IRS certifying as to the entitlement of such Non-U.S. Lender Party to such exemption from United States withholding tax or reduced rate with respect to all payments to be made to such Non-U.S. Lender Party under the Loan Documents. Unless the Borrower and Administrative Agent have received forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Non-U.S. Lender Party are not subject to United States withholding tax or are subject to such tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty, the Credit Parties and Administrative Agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable Requirements of Law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

(ii) Each U.S. Lender Party (other than a U.S. Lender Party that is an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)) shall (A) on or prior to the date such U.S. Lender Party becomes a “U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (B) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (C) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (f) and (D) from time to time if requested by the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide Administrative Agent and the Borrower (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) with two completed originals of Form W-9 (certifying that such U.S. Lender Party is entitled to an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax) or any successor form.

(iii) Each Lender having sold a participation in any of its Obligations or identified an SPV as such to Administrative Agent shall collect from such participant or SPV the documents described in this clause (f) and provide them to Administrative Agent.

 

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(g) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(h) If any Secured Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified hereunder (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 10.1), it shall pay to the applicable Credit Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made hereunder with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such Secured Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such Credit Party, upon the request of such Secured Party, shall repay to such Secured Party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 10.1(h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Secured Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (h), in no event will such Secured Party be required to pay any amount to a Credit Party pursuant to this clause (h) the payment of which would place such Secured Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Secured Party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section 10.1(h) shall not be construed to require any Secured Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party or any other Person.

10.2 Illegality. If after the date hereof (a) any Lender shall determine that the introduction of any Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or administration thereof, has made it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or (b) any Lender determines in good faith (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that (i) it has become impracticable as a result of a circumstance that adversely affects the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in such market to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans, then, in each case, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through Administrative Agent, the obligation of that Lender to make LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender shall have notified Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exists.

(a) Subject to clause (c) below, if any Lender shall determine that it is unlawful to maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, the Borrower shall prepay in full all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans, together with any amounts required to be paid in connection therewith pursuant to Section 10.4.

 

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(b) If the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans has been terminated, the Borrower may elect, by giving notice to such Lender through Administrative Agent that all Loans which would otherwise be made by any such Lender as LIBOR Rate Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans.

(c) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 10.2 shall use its reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its applicable lending office if the making of such a change would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts that would be payable or may thereafter accrue and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

10.3 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.

(a) If any Lender shall reasonably determine that either (i) the introduction of, or any change in, or in the interpretation of, any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) subsequent to the date hereof, (A) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement pursuant to Section 10.6); (B) subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever other than any Excluded Taxes with respect to this Agreement or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (notwithstanding the foregoing, Taxes, Other Taxes and Excluded Taxes are covered exclusively by Section 10.1); or (C) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement, LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender 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 reduce the amount of any sum received by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then the Borrower shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, within thirty (30) days of demand therefor by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Administrative Agent), pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased costs; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to this subsection 10.3(a) for any increased costs incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower, in writing of the increased costs and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided, further, that if the circumstance giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that:

(i) the introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof; or

(iv) compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) or any entity controlling the Lender, with any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

 

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affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any entity controlling such Lender and (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such entities’ policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender’s desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its Commitment(s), loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, within thirty (30) days of demand of such Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender (or the entity controlling the Lender) for such increase; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to this subsection 10.3(b) for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower, in writing of the amounts and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided, further, that if the event giving rise to such increase is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to have occurred after the date hereof regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

10.4 Funding Losses. The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

(a) the failure of the Borrower to make any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan (including payments made after any acceleration thereof);

(b) the failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert a Loan after the Borrower has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

(c) the failure of the Borrower to make any prepayment after the Borrower has given a notice in accordance with Section 1.7;

(d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 1.8) of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day which is not the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto; or

(e) the conversion pursuant to Section 1.6 of any LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. Solely for purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 10.4 and under subsection 10.3(a): each LIBOR Rate Loan made by a Lender (and each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the interest rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank Eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

10.5 Inability to Determine Rates. If Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR for any

 

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requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or that the LIBOR applicable pursuant to subsection 1.3(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding or maintaining such Loan, Administrative Agent will forthwith give notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder shall be suspended until Administrative Agent revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Borrower does not revoke such notice, the Lenders shall make, convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by the Borrower, in the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Borrower, but such Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate Loans.

10.6 Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional costs on the unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Loan equal to actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan provided the Borrower shall have received at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice (with a copy to Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from the Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be payable fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice.

10.7 Certificates of Lenders. Any Lender claiming reimbursement or compensation pursuant to this Article X shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lender hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower in the absence of manifest error.

ARTICLE XI.

DEFINITIONS

11.1 Defined Terms. The following terms are defined in the Sections or subsections referenced opposite such terms:

 

ABL Credit Agreement    Recitals
ABL Facility    Recitals
Administrative Agent Report    8.5(c)
Affected Lender    9.22
Agreement    Preamble
Axiall    Recitals
Barclays    Preamble
Borrower    Preamble
Borrower Materials    9.10(e)
Contract Amount    Definition of “Excess Cash Flow”
Discounted Voluntary Prepayment    1.8(i)
Event of Default    7.1
Indemnified Matters    9.6(a)
Indemnitee    9.6(a)
Intercompany Notes    5.4(b)
Investments    5.4
Lender    Preamble
Maximum Lawful Rate    1.3(d)

 

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MNPI    9.10(a)
Notice of Conversion/Continuation    1.6(a)
OFAC    3.27
Other Lender    1.12(e)
Other Taxes    10.1(c)
Participant Register    9.10(g)
Permitted Liens    5.1
PPG    Recitals
PPG Acquisition    Recitals
PPG Entities    Recitals
PPG Merger Agreement    Recitals
PPG Separation    Recitals
PPG Separation Agreement    Recitals
Prepayment Notice    1.7(a)
Register    1.4(b)
Restricted Payments    5.11
Replacement Lender    9.22
RMT Notes Indenture    Recitals
Sale    9.9(b)
SDN List    3.28(a)
SpinCo    Preamble
Special Distribution    Preamble
Subject Transaction    11.7(b)
Tax Planning Transactions    5.23
Tax Returns    3.10
Taxes    10.1(a)
Transactions    Recitals
Term Loan Commitments    1.1
Term Loan Facility    Recitals

In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

Account” means, as at any date of determination, all “accounts” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties, including, without limitation, the unpaid portion of the obligation of a customer of a Credit Party in respect of Inventory purchased by and shipped to such customer and/or the rendition of services by a Credit Party, as stated on the respective invoice of a Credit Party, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed to such customer.

Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Person or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person.

Administrative Agent” means Barclays in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders hereunder, and any successor Administrative Agent.

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. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the

 

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direction of the management and policies of the other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Without limitation, any director, executive officer or beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the Stock (either directly or through ownership of Stock Equivalents) of a Person shall for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be an Affiliate of the other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Loan Documents and (ii) neither PPG nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party solely by reason by PPG, any such Subsidiary and any such Credit Party having common executive officers and/or directors.

Agents” means, collectively, Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Term Loan Commitment” means the combined Term Loan Commitments of the Lenders, which shall initially be in the amount of $279,000,000.

Applicable ECF Percentage” means, for any Fiscal Year, (a) 50% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is greater than 2.75 to 1.00, (b) 25% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00 but greater than 2.0 to 1.00 and (c) 0% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is less than or equal to 2.0 to 1.00.

Applicable Margin” means (i) if a Base Rate Loan, 1.75 percent (1.75%) per annum and (ii) if a LIBOR Rate Loan, 2.75 percent (2.75%) per annum.

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage equivalent of such Lender’s outstanding Loans divided by the aggregate amount of all other outstanding Loans.

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) (i) is or will be engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the Ordinary Course of Business or (ii) temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any Person described in clause (i) above, (b) is advised or managed by (i) such Lender, (ii) any Affiliate of such Lender or (iii) any Person (other than an individual) or any Affiliate of any Person (other than an individual) that administers or manages such Lender and (c) has the ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

Aromatics Asset Sale” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, through the establishment of one or more joint ventures) of all or any part of Axiall’s “Aromatics” division including, without limitation, certain equipment and customer contracts associated with Axiall’s phenol production plant located in Placquemine, Louisiana, and certain property, plants, equipment and customer contracts associated with Axiall’s cumene production facility and phenol production facility, each located in Pasadena, Texas.

Arrangers” means Barclays, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and RBC Capital Markets.

Assignment” means an assignment agreement entered into by a Lender, as assignor, and any Person, as assignee, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section 9.9 (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.9), accepted by Administrative Agent, in substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(a) or any other form approved by Administrative Agent.

Attorney Costs” means and includes all reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

 

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Available Amount” means, at any date of determination (i) the aggregate amount of “Restricted Payments” (as defined in the RMT Notes Indenture as in effect on the Closing Date) that could then be made pursuant to Section 4.07(a) of the RMT Notes Indenture (as in effect on the Closing Date) less (ii) the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to Section 5.4(m) and the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 5.11(d).

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.) as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the rate last quoted by Barclays as the “Prime Rate” in the United States or, if Barclays ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by Administrative Agent), (b) the sum of (x) LIBOR calculated for each such day based on an Interest Period of one month determined two Business Days prior to such day (after taking account of the LIBOR floor) plus (y) 1.00% per annum, and (c) the sum of (x) LIBOR calculated for each such day based on an Interest Period of three months determined two (2) Business Days prior to such day (after taking account of the LIBOR floor) plus (y) 1.00% per annum, in each instance, as of such day. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in any of the foregoing shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR for an Interest Period of three months.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person”(as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether governed by the laws of the United States or otherwise) to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

Borrowing” means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the same Type made on the Closing Date by the Lenders pursuant to Article I.

Building Products Division Asset Sale” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, through the establishment of one or more joint ventures) of all or any part of Axiall’s “home improvement” or “building products” division including, without limitation, certain property, plant, equipment and customer contracts associated with window and door profiles, mouldings products, vinyl siding, aluminum siding and accessories, pipe and pipe fittings, and deck, fence and rail product lines.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which federal reserve banks are authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.

 

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Canadian Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of any Credit Party organized under the laws of Canada.

Capital Adequacy Regulation” means any guideline, request or directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements of any Lender or of any corporation controlling a Lender.

Capital Lease” means any leasing or similar arrangement which, in accordance with GAAP, is classified as a capital lease; provided that the OMERS Lease shall not be deemed to be Capital Leases for all purposes of this Agreement.

Capital Lease Obligations” means all monetary obligations of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party under any Capital Leases.

Cash Equivalents” means (a) any readily-marketable securities (i) issued by, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States federal government or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States federal government the obligations of which are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United States federal government, (b) any readily-marketable direct obligations issued by any other agency of the United States federal government, any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case having a rating of at least “A-1” from S&P or at least “P-1” from Moody’s, (c) any commercial paper rated at least “A-1” by S&P or “P-1” by Moody’s and issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States, (d) any Dollar-denominated time deposit, insured certificate of deposit, overnight bank deposit or bankers’ acceptance issued or accepted by (i) any Lender or (ii) any commercial bank that is (A) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (B) “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulators) and (C) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) in excess of $250,000,000 and (e) shares of any United States money market fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above with maturities as set forth in the proviso below, (ii) has net assets in excess of $500,000,000 and (iii) has obtained from either S&P or Moody’s the highest rating obtainable for money market funds in the United States; provided, however, that the maturities of all obligations specified in any of clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) above shall not exceed 365 days.

Closing Date” means January 28, 2013.

Closing Date Material Adverse Effect” means, any change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate with all such other changes, developments, events, occurrences, effects or states of facts is materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Eagle Business (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement), taken as a whole; provided, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there is, a Material Adverse Effect: any change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts arising out of or resulting from (i) capital market conditions generally or general economic conditions, including with respect to interest rates or currency exchange rates, (ii) geopolitical conditions or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, acts of war or terrorism occurring after the July 18, 2012, (iii) any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster occurring after July 18, 2012, (iv) any change in applicable Law (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement) or GAAP (or authoritative interpretation thereof) which is proposed, approved or enacted after July 18, 2012, (v) general conditions in the industries in which the Eagle Business operates, (vi) the announcement and pendency of the PPG Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including any lawsuit in respect hereof, compliance with the covenants or agreements contained therein, and any loss of

 

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or change in relationship with any customer, supplier, distributor, or other business partner, or departure of any employee or officer, of the Eagle Business, except, in the cases of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), to the extent that such change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts has a materially disproportionate effect on the Eagle Business, as compared with other participants in the industries in which the Eagle Business operates (in which case the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there is, a Material Adverse Effect.

Co-Documentation Agents” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Royal Bank of Canada.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Collateral Agent” means U.S. Bank National Association in its capacity as Notes Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents, or any of its successors in such capacity.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Intercreditor Agreement, each Control Agreement, and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, patent and trademark security agreements, copyright security agreements, lease assignments, guarantees and other similar agreements, by or between any one or more of any Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any other Person pledging or granting a lien on Collateral or guaranteeing the payment and performance of some or all of the Obligations, and any Lender or Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and other Secured Parties now or hereafter delivered to the Lenders or Collateral Agent pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the UCC) against any such Person as debtor in favor of any Lender or Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, as secured party.

Commitment Percentage” means, as to any Lender, the percentage equivalent of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment divided by the Aggregate Term Loan Commitment.

Competitor” means the Persons listed on Schedule 9.9(b) hereto, as such schedule may be supplemented after the Closing Date by written notice from Axiall to the Administrative Agent.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit 4.2(b) hereto.

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all capital expenditures, as determined in accordance with GAAP, minus the Net Cash Proceeds received from the sale of capital assets (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the sale of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business) and reinvested during such period; provided, however, that Consolidated Capital Expenditures shall not include expenditures made with proceeds of any involuntary disposition, or expenditures made in anticipation of the future receipt of such proceeds after the occurrence of an involuntary disposition, to the extent such expenditures are used to purchase property that is used or useful in the business of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, without duplication, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the net income for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (i) the income (or loss) of any joint venture or other Person which is

 

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not a Subsidiary of the Borrower, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash by such Person during such period, (ii) the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Credit Party if the payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary is not permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or of any agreement or Requirement of Law applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any net gain from the collection of life insurance proceeds; (iv) any aggregate net gain or loss from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of Property or assets not in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP and (v) any extraordinary and non-recurring gains or losses of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining net income for such period, (i) interest expense and bank fees and costs of surety bonds, in each case in connection with financing activities, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization (including the amortization of deferred financing fees or costs), (iv) any fees, expenses or other costs paid in connection with (A) the PPG Acquisition Financing and this Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000, (B) any tender offer for the Secured Notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $64,000,000 (including the payment of any required “make-whole premiums”) and (C) any transaction costs incurred in connection with any Ethylene Cracker Investment in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000, (v) amortization relating to V-cracker assets, (vi) any non-cash deduction from net income as a result of any grant of stock or stock equivalents to employees or members of the board of directors, (vii) any expenses or charges related to any issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents, Investment, Acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including any refinancing thereof whether or not successful) and any amendment or modification to the terms of any such transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000, (viii) the amount of any restructuring charge or reserve, including one-time costs incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition after the Closing Date or the closing of any facilities after the Closing Date; provided that the aggregate amount of cash charges and cash costs that are included in this clause (viii) shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA in any Test Period, (ix) any costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Axiall or net cash proceeds from the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall and (x) other non-cash charges reducing net income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period or relating to a write-down, write off or reserve with respect to accounts receivable and inventory) plus (c) the amount of net cost savings projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions either taken or initiated prior to or during such period (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized in the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected to be realized prior to or during such period from such actions; provided that (i) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (ii) such actions have been taken or initiated no later than 12 months after the date of such actions and (iii) the aggregate amount of projected cost savings included in any four-quarter period shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA, minus (d) (i) income tax credits and (ii) non-cash income or gains (including, without limitation, income arising from the cancellation of indebtedness) other than the accrual of revenue in the Ordinary Course of Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Consolidated EBITDA” for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended (i) March 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $159,251,000, (ii) June 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $160,715,000, (iii) September 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $215,708,000 and (iv) December 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $199,717,000, in each case, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Transactions.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, amounts relating to a subsidiary of a Person will be added to or deducted from net income to compute Consolidated EBITDA of such Person only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such subsidiary was included in calculating the net income of such Person.

 

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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets of Axiall and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all current liabilities (excluding any current liabilities that are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereunder for more than 12 months after the date of determination; total prepaid expenses and deferred charges, and all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, licenses, copyrights and other intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis, as would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of Axiall and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for Axiall’s most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated total Indebtedness of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of determination that constitutes the Obligations, the Secured Notes, ABL Facility, any Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations and any Capital Lease Obligations to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four full Fiscal Quarters for which internal financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries, are available.

For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio for any applicable period during which any Subject Transaction is consummated, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio will be calculated in accordance with Section 11.7.

Consolidated Total Assets” of any Person means, at any date, the total assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP minus (a) any minority interest in any Person that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries at such date prepared in conformity with GAAP and (b) any securities issued by such Person held as treasury securities.

Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person: (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto; (b) with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings; (c) under any Rate Contracts; (d) to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an agreement; or (e) for the obligations of another Person through any agreement to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any Property constituting security therefor, to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation or to maintain the solvency, financial condition or any balance sheet item or level of income of another Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if not a fixed and determined amount, the maximum amount so guaranteed or supported. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if not a fixed and determined amount, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

Contractual Obligations” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

 

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Control Agreement” as such term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Conversion Date” means any date on which the Borrower converts a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan.

Copyrights” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to copyrights and all mask work, database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.

Credit Parties” means the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Default” means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value (as determined by Borrower in good faith) of non-cash consideration received by a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a sale or disposition pursuant to Section 5.2(g) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the fair market value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash or Cash Equivalents).

Disposition” means (a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of Property, other than sales or other dispositions expressly permitted under subsections 5.2(a), 5.2(c) and 5.2(f) and (b) the sale or transfer by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party of any Stock or Stock Equivalent issued by any Subsidiary of a Credit Party and held by such transferor Person.

Dollars”, “dollars” and “$” each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Dutch Auction” means an auction (an “Auction”) conducted by the Borrower in order to purchase Loans in accordance with the following procedures or such other procedures as may be agreed to between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower:

(A) Notice Procedures. In connection with an Auction, the Borrower will provide notification to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) that Loans will be the subject of an Auction (an “Auction Notice”). Each Auction Notice shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and shall contain (i) the total cash value of the bid, in a minimum amount of $10,000,000 with minimum increments of $1,000,000 (the “Auction Amount”), and (ii) the discount to par, which shall be a range (the “Discount Range”) of percentages of the par principal amount of the Loans at issue that represents the range of purchase prices that could be paid in the Auction.

(B) Reply Procedures. In connection with any Auction, each Lender may, in its sole discretion, participate in such Auction and may provide the Administrative Agent with a notice of participation (the “Return Bid”) which shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and shall specify (i) a discount to par that must be expressed as a price (the “Reply Discount”), which must be within the Discount Range, and (ii) a principal amount of the Loans which must be in increments of $1,000,000 (the “Reply Amount”). A Lender may avoid the minimum increment amount condition solely when submitting a Reply Amount equal to the Lender’s entire remaining amount of the applicable Loans. Lenders may only submit one Return Bid per Auction. In addition to the Return Bid, the participating Lender must execute and deliver, to be held in escrow by the Administrative Agent, a form of Assignment.

 

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(C) Acceptance Procedures. Based on the Reply Discounts and Reply Amounts received by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, will determine the applicable discount (the “Applicable Discount”) for the Auction, which will be the lowest Reply Discount for which the Borrower can complete the Auction at the Auction Amount; provided that, in the event that the Reply Amounts are insufficient to allow the Borrower to complete a purchase of the entire Auction Amount (any such Auction, a “Failed Auction”), the Borrower shall either, at its election, (i) withdraw the Auction or (ii) complete the Auction at an Applicable Discount equal to the highest Reply Discount sufficient to allow a purchase of the entire Auction Amount. The Borrower shall purchase the Loans (or the respective portions thereof) from each Lender with a Reply Discount that is equal to or greater than the Applicable Discount (“Qualifying Bids”) at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the aggregate proceeds required to purchase all Loans subject to Qualifying Bids would exceed the Auction Amount for such Auction, the Borrower shall purchase such Loans at the Applicable Discount ratably based on the principal amounts of such Qualifying Bids (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Administrative Agent). Each participating Lender will receive notice of a Qualifying Bid as soon as reasonably practicable but in no case later than five Business Days from the date the Return Bid was due.

(D) Additional Procedures. Once initiated by an Auction Notice, the Borrower may not withdraw an Auction other than a Failed Auction. Furthermore, in connection with any Auction, upon submission by a Lender of a Qualifying Bid, such Lender (each, a “Qualifying Lender”) will be obligated to sell the entirety or its allocable portion of the Reply Amount, as the case may be, at the Applicable Discount.

Electronic Transmission” means each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or other equivalent service acceptable to Administrative Agent.

Environmental Laws” means all present and future Requirements of Law and Permits imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of human health, safety, the workplace, the environment and natural resources, and including public notification requirements and environmental transfer of ownership, notification or approval statutes.

Environmental Liabilities” means all Liabilities (including the costs of Remedial Actions, natural resource damages and costs and expenses of investigation and feasibility studies, including the cost of environmental consultants and the cost of attorney’s fees) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party as a result of, or related to, any claim, suit, action, investigation, proceeding or demand by any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law or otherwise, arising under any Environmental Law or in connection with any environmental, health or safety condition or with any Release and resulting from the ownership, lease, sublease or other operation or occupation of property by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether on, prior or after the date hereof.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate” means, collectively, any Credit Party and any Person under common control or treated as a single employer with, any Credit Party, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

 

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ERISA Event” means any of the following: (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA or, unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations, Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the filing of a notice of reorganization, insolvency or termination (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041 of ERISA; (f) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (g) the failure to make any required contribution to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due; (h) the imposition of a lien under Section 412 or 430(k) of the Code or Section 303 or 4068 of ERISA on any property (or rights to property, whether real or personal) of any ERISA Affiliate; (i) the failure of a Benefit Plan or any trust thereunder intended to qualify for tax exempt status under Section 401 or 501 of the Code or other Requirements of Law to qualify thereunder; (j) a Title IV plan is in “at risk” status within the meaning of Code Section 430(k); (k) a Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered status” or “critical status” within the meaning of Section 432(b) of the Code; and (l) any other event or condition that might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of any material liability upon any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent.

Ethylene Cracker Facility” means a facility, a primary purpose of which is the cracking, generation or production of ethylene (or with the intent to convert or modify to the cracking, generation or production of ethylene).

Ethylene Cracker Investment” means any one or more of the following: (a) any Investment in any Person (including, without limitation, through an Acquisition, joint venture arrangement, capital investment or similar Investment, or the guarantee of any Indebtedness of such Person) whose primary business consists of constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or otherwise operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility or (b) the entering into of one or more long-term supply contracts for the purchase of ethylene including, without limitation, long-term supply contracts that provide for take-or-pay or similar payments.

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any Property, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such Property; or (b) any actual condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation of such Property or the requisition of the use of such Property.

Excess Cash Flow” means, for any Excess Cash Flow Period, cash provided by operating activities of Axiall and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries during such Excess Cash Flow Period, as shown on the financial statements for such Excess Cash Flow Period delivered pursuant to Section 4.01, minus, without duplication:

(i) scheduled principal payments in respect of Indebtedness of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case made with Internally Generated Cash during such Excess Cash Flow Period; minus

(ii) Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in each case made with Internally Generated Cash during such Excess Cash Flow Period; minus

 

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(iii) the amount of any increase in “restricted cash” of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with GAAP) from the first day of such Excess Cash Flow Period to the last day of such Excess Cash Flow Period; minus

(iv) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior Excess Cash Flow Periods or such Excess Cash Flow Period, to the extent set forth in a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to Administrative Agent at or before the time the Compliance Certificate for the period ending simultaneously with such Excess Cash Flow Period is required to be delivered pursuant to subsection 4.2(b), the aggregate amount that shall be required to be paid in cash in respect of Consolidated Capital Expenditures to be made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during the 90 days following such Excess Cash Flow Period pursuant to binding contracts (the “Contract Amount”) entered into prior to or during such Excess Cash Flow Period; provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of Internally Generated Cash actually utilized to finance such Consolidated Capital Expenditures during such 90-day period is less than the Contract Amount, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to Excess Cash Flow for the Excess Cash Flow Period following such Excess Cash Flow Period; plus

(v) the amount of any decrease in “restricted cash” of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with GAAP) from the first day of such Excess Cash Flow Period to the last day of such Excess Cash Flow Period.

Excess Cash Flow Period” means (i) the period taken as one accounting period from April 1, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2013 and (ii) each Fiscal Year of the Borrower thereafter.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to Administrative Agent any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder, (a) any taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), net profits or capital of such Person and franchise taxes imposed in lieu thereof by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient (i) is organized or incorporated, (ii) maintains its principal lending office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office with respect to this Agreement or (iii) has a present or former connection other than a connection resulting from entering into this Agreement or receiving any payment under this Agreement; (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which such Lender is located, (c) in the case of any Lender any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an interest in a Loan pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (x) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 9.22)) or (y) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 10.1, amounts with respect such taxes were payable by the Borrowers either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (d) in the case of any Lender, any withholding tax that is attributable to such Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a change in any Requirement of Law) to comply with Section 10.1(f)) and (e) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

E-Fax” means any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.

E-Signature” means the process of attaching to or logically associating with an Electronic Transmission an electronic symbol, encryption, digital signature or process (including the name or an abbreviation of the name of the party transmitting the Electronic Transmission) with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such Electronic Transmission.

 

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E-System” means any electronic system approved by Administrative Agent, including Intralinks® and ClearPar® and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by Administrative Agent, any of its Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereof (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

Federal Flood Insurance” means federally backed Flood Insurance available under the National Flood Insurance Program to owners of real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent in a commercially reasonable manner.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter, dated as of July 18, 2012, as may be amended as of the date hereof, by and among Barclays, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Axiall.

FEMA” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the National Flood Insurance Program.

FIRREA” means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended.

First Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary held directly by a Credit Party or indirectly by a Credit Party through one or more U.S. Subsidiaries.

Fiscal Quarter” means any of the quarterly accounting periods of the Credit Parties, ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year.

Fiscal Year” means any of the annual accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on December 31 of each year.

Flood Insurance” means, for any Real Estate located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Federal Flood Insurance or private insurance that covers flood perils with deductibles, limits and sublimits that are commercially reasonable given the size and character of the business of the Credit Parties.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary of such Person that is a “controlled foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code.

 

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GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, subject to Section 11.3 hereof.

GE Capital” means General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

Guarantors” means (i) each of the U.S. Subsidiaries of the Borrower and (ii) upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, Axiall and each of its U.S. Subsidiaries.

Guaranty Agreement” means that certain guaranty agreement among the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent dated as of January 28, 2013.

Hazardous Materials” means any substance, material or waste that is regulated or otherwise gives rise to liability under any Environmental Law, including but not limited to any “Hazardous Waste” as defined by RCRA, any “Hazardous Substance” as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. (1980)), any contaminant, pollutant, petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos, asbestos containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, and radioactive substances or any other substance that is toxic, ignitable, reactive, corrosive, caustic, or dangerous.

Holdco” means Rome Acquisition Holding Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Axiall.

Holdco Loan” means that certain intercompany loan by Axiall to Holdco as evidenced by that certain promissory note made as of October 3, 2006 executed by Holdco in favor of Axiall.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Axiall (i) listed on Schedule 11.1(b), or (ii) both (A) owning assets having a book value of less than 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (B) having Consolidated EBITDA (calculated solely for such Subsidiary) constituting less than 5% of Consolidated EBITDA of Axiall and its Subsidiaries (including any Unrestricted Subsidiaries); provided, that (x) the aggregate book value of the assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries at any time shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA (calculated solely for such Immaterial Subsidiaries) at any time shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA of Axiall and its Subsidiaries (including any Unrestricted Subsidiaries).

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than trade payables entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business); (c) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder and all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments issued by such Person; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of Property,

 

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assets or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to Property acquired by the Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such Property); (f) all Capital Lease Obligations; (g) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off balance sheet financing product; (h) all obligations, whether or not contingent, to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any of its own Stock or Stock Equivalents (or any Stock or Stock Equivalent of a direct or indirect parent entity thereof) prior to the date that is 180 days after the latest Maturity Date, valued at, in the case of redeemable preferred Stock, the greater of the voluntary liquidation preference and the involuntary liquidation preference of such Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (i) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in Property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness; and (j) all Contingent Obligations described in clause (a) or (c) of the definition thereof in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above. To the extent that any recourse with respect to such Indebtedness is limited to solely to property of a Person, the amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (i) shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value (as determined by such Person in good faith) of such property encumbered thereby.

Insolvency Proceeding” means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case in (a) and (b) above, undertaken under U.S. federal, state or foreign law, including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code.

Intellectual Property” means all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property and industrial property arising under any Requirement of Law and all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including all Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets and IP Licenses.

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of December 22, 2009 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) between GE Capital, as revolving agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as notes collateral agent.

Interest Payment Date” means, (a) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and (b) with respect to Base Rate, the first day of each month.

Interest Period” means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed or continued or on the Conversion Date on which a Base Rate Loan is converted to the LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two or three months (or, if made available by all relevant Lenders, fourteen days) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided, that:

(a) if any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

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(b) any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

Internally Generated Cash” means any cash of Axiall or any Subsidiary that is not generated from a disposition, an Event of Loss, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a capital contribution.

Internet Domain Name” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to internet domain names.

Inventory” means all of the “inventory” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties, including, but not limited to, all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, work in process and finished goods intended for sale, together with all the containers, packing, packaging, shipping and similar materials related thereto, and including such inventory as is temporarily out of a Credit Party’s custody or possession, including inventory on the premises of others and items in transit.

IP Ancillary Rights” means, with respect to any other Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisionals, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property and all income, royalties, proceeds and Liabilities at any time due or payable or asserted under or with respect to any of the foregoing or otherwise with respect to such Intellectual Property, including all rights to sue or recover at law or in equity for any past, present or future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation or other impairment thereof, and, in each case, all rights to obtain any other IP Ancillary Right.

IP License” means all Contractual Obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property.

IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and any successor thereto.

Lender Party” means each of Administrative Agent, each Lender, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code.

Lender-Related Distress Event” means, with respect to any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each a “Distressed Person”), (a) a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar bankruptcy laws of its jurisdiction of formation, (b) a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, (c) such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, merger, sale or other change of majority control supported in whole or in part by guaranties or other support (including, without limitation, the nationalization or assumption of majority ownership or operating control by) the U.S. government or other Governmental Authority, or (d) such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall have the same meaning as in the second sentence of the definition of “Affiliate”.

Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender specified as its “Lending Office” beneath its name on the applicable signature page hereto, or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may from time to time notify the Borrower and Administrative Agent.

 

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Liabilities” means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses, liability, obligations, responsibilities, fines, penalties, sanctions, costs, fees, taxes, commissions, charges, disbursements and expenses, in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.

LIBOR” means, for each Interest Period, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to (i) the rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate appearing on the page of the Reuters Screen 01 Page as of 11:00 A.M. (London, England time) which displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate applicable to U.S. dollar deposits, or (ii) if the rate in clause (i) above does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service is not available, the rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate applicable to U.S. dollar deposits as of 11:00 A.M. (London, England time), or (iii) if the rates in clauses (i) and (ii) are not available, Administrative Agent’s offered quotation rate to first class banks in the London interbank market, in each case as adjusted for applicable reserve requirements; provided that in no event shall LIBOR be less than 1.00% per annum.

LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on LIBOR.

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise) or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) and any contingent or other agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but not including the interest of a lessor under a lease which is not a Capital Lease.

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Article I, and may be a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and all documents delivered to Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and/or any Lender in connection with any of the foregoing.

Margin Stock” means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Material Adverse Effect” means: (i) on the Closing Date, solely with respect to the PPG Entities, a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect and (ii) on the Closing Date (other than with respect to the PPG Entities) (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, Properties, or financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Credit Party to repay the Obligations or of any Credit Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other material Loan Document as and when required to be performed under such document; or (c) a material adverse effect upon (A) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (B) the perfection or priority of any Lien in respect of any material portion of the Collateral granted to the Lenders or to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under any of the Collateral Documents.

Maturity Date” means January 28, 2017. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Maturity Date shall be 91 days prior to the Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date unless prior to such accelerated Maturity Date, the Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date has been effectively extended (by refinancing, repayment or otherwise) to at least July 27, 2017.

 

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Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgage” means any deed of trust, leasehold deed of trust, mortgage, leasehold mortgage, deed to secure debt, leasehold deed to secure debt or other document creating a Lien on Real Estate or any interest in Real Estate, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Mortgage Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Schedule 4.17.

Mortgaged Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in Schedule 4.17.

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as to which any ERISA Affiliate incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

National Flood Insurance Program” means the program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as revised by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, that mandates the purchase of flood insurance to cover real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in participating communities and provides protection to property owners through a federal insurance program.

Net Cash Proceeds” means proceeds in cash, checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments (including Cash Equivalents) as and when received by the Person making a Disposition and insurance proceeds received on account of an Event of Loss, net of: (a) in the event of a Disposition (i) the direct costs relating to such Disposition excluding amounts payable to the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, (ii) sale, use or other transaction taxes paid or payable as a result thereof and actual tax obligations in respect of any gain on any such Disposition and (iii) amounts required to be applied to repay principal, interest and prepayment premiums and penalties on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset which is the subject of such Disposition, which Lien is prior to the Lien securing the Obligations in the case of Collateral and (b) in the event of an Event of Loss, (i) all money actually applied to repair or reconstruct the damaged Property or Property affected by the condemnation or taking, (ii) all of the costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds, award or other payments, and (iii) any amounts retained by or paid to parties having superior rights to such proceeds, awards or other payments.

Non-Funding Lender” means any Lender (a) that has failed to fund any payments required to be made by it under the Loan Documents within two (2) Business Days after any such payment is due, (b) that has given verbal or written notice to the Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender or has otherwise publicly announced that such Lender believes it will fail to fund all payments required to be made by it or fund all purchases of participations required to be funded by it under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (c) as to which Administrative Agent has a good faith belief that such Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations (as a lender or agent) under syndicated credit facilities generally or (d) with respect to which one or more Lender-Related Distress Events has occurred with respect to such Person or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender and Administrative Agent has determined that such Lender may become a Non-Funding Lender. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall have the same meaning as in the second sentence of the definition of “Affiliate”.

 

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Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness (a) as to which neither Axiall nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (ii) is directly or indirectly liable as a Guarantor or otherwise, or (iii) constitutes the lender and (b) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity date.

Non-U.S. Lender Party” means each of Administrative Agent, each Lender, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to a Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(d) hereto, evidencing Indebtedness of the Borrower under a Loan made by such Lender.

Notice of Borrowing” means a notice given by the Borrower to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.5, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(c) hereto.

Obligations” means all Loans, and other Indebtedness, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Credit Party to any Lender, any Agent, any other Person required to be indemnified, that arises under any Loan Document whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired (including all interest, fees and expenses which, but for filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to a Credit Party, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against a Credit Party for such interest, fees or expenses in the related bankruptcy).

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury or any successor thereto.

OMERS Leases” means those certain leases, dated March 29, 2007, by and among OMERS Realty Corporation, as landlord, Royal Group, Inc., as tenant, and Axiall, as indemnifier, as amended, restated or modified from time to time.

Ordinary Course of Business” means, in respect of any transaction involving any Person, the ordinary course of such Person’s business, as conducted by any such Person in accordance with past practice and undertaken by such Person in good faith and not for purposes of evading any covenant or restriction in any Loan Document.

Organization Documents” means, (a) for any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation and any shareholder rights agreement, (b) for any partnership, the partnership agreement and, if applicable, certificate of limited partnership, (c) for any limited liability company, the operating agreement and articles or certificate of formation or (d) any other document setting forth the manner of election or duties of the officers, directors, managers or other similar persons, or the designation, amount or relative rights, limitations and preference of the Stock of a Person.

Other Financing Documents” means, collectively the RMT Note Documents and the ABL Facility documentation.

 

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Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations” has the meaning given to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Patents” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor.

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56, as amended.

PBGC” means the United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation any successor thereto.

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by (i) Axiall or any Restricted Subsidiary of substantially all of the assets, business or division of a Target or (ii) a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of 100% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of a Target (including as a result of a merger or consolidation), in each case, to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) [Reserved]

(b) (1) the Borrower shall have notified Administrative Agent of such proposed Acquisition at least ten (10) days prior to the consummation thereof, and (2) with respect to any such Acquisition (or series of related Acquisitions) involving consideration in excess of $50,000,000, (i) Administrative Agent shall have received complete executed or conformed copies of each material document, instrument and agreement executed by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition not more than twenty (20) Business Days after such Acquisition (or such longer period as may be agreed to by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), and (ii) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered to Administrative Agent pro forma financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the consummation of such Acquisition;

(c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including any new Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 4.13 and, unless prohibited under the applicable acquisition documents, Administrative Agent shall have received, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a collateral assignment of the seller’s representations, warranties and indemnities to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under the acquisition documents;

(d) such Acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the board of directors (or other similar body) and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of the Target;

(e) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;

(f) [Reserved]

(g) [Reserved]

(h) [Reserved]; and

(i) the business, assets or division acquired are for use, or the Target is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the businesses conducted by the Credit Parties on the Closing Date, and business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto.

 

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Permitted Joint Venture” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which 50% of the total voting power of shares of 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 Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (a) 50% 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 Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise; and

(3) either such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or no other Person controls such entity.

Permitted Refinancing” means Indebtedness issued or given in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to, extend, refinance, renew, replace or refund Indebtedness that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing, refunding, replacement, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (c) is not entered into as part of a sale leaseback transaction, (d) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (e) the obligors of which are the same as the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended and (f) is otherwise on terms not less favorable in any material respect to the Credit Parties, taken as a whole, than those of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended as reasonably determined by Axiall in good faith; provided that (other than with respect to any Permitted Refinancing of the Secured Notes commenced prior to the Closing Date), a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least seven (7) 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 Axiall has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies Axiall within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees).

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

Pledge and Security Agreement” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2009 (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Axiall, the grantors from time to time party thereto and the Collateral Agent.

PPG Chlor-alkali and Derivatives Business” means substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the business of PPG relating to the production of chlorine, caustic soda and related chemicals to be transferred to SpinCo pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the PPG Separation Agreement.

 

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Prior Claims” shall mean all Liens created by applicable law (in contrast with Liens voluntarily granted) which rank or are capable of ranking prior or pari passu with Collateral Agent’s security interests (or interests similar thereto under applicable law) against all or part of the Canadian assets including for amounts owing for wages, employee source deductions, goods and services taxes, sales taxes, harmonized sales taxes, municipal taxes, workers’ compensation, Quebec corporate taxes, pension fund obligations and overdue rents, including without limitation pursuant to the Civil Code of Quebec.

Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

Rate Contracts” means swap agreements (as such term is defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) and any other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates or commodity contracts.

RCRA” Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq. (1976)).

Real Estate” means any Real Estate owned, leased, subleased or otherwise operated or occupied by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended).

Related Persons” means, with respect to any Person, each Affiliate of such Person and each director, officer, employee, agent, trustee, representative, attorney, accountant and each insurance, environmental, legal, financial and other advisor (including those retained in connection with the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article II) and other consultants and agents of or to such Person or any of its Affiliates.

Releases” means any release, threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material into or through the environment.

Remedial Action” means all actions required to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize any Release so that a Hazardous Material does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care with respect to any Hazardous Material.

Repricing Transaction” shall mean (i) any prepayment or repayment of Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of Loans into, any new or replacement tranche of term loans bearing interest at an effective interest rate less than the effective interest rate applicable to the Loans (as such comparative rates are reasonably determined by Administrative Agent) and (ii) any amendment to the Term Loan Facility that reduces the effective interest rate applicable to the Loans (in each case, such effective interest rate shall take into account margins, the applicable reserve adjusted LIBOR Rate or Base Rate floors, original issue discount and upfront fees).

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders owed or holding at least a majority in interest of the Aggregate Term Loan Commitment at such time or, if the Term Loan Commitments shall not be in effect at such time, the Loans outstanding at such time; provided, however, that if any Lender shall be a Non-Funding Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time all Loans and Term Loan Commitments of such Lender at such time.

 

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Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or common), ordinance, treaty, rule, regulation, order, policy, other legal requirement or determination of an arbitrator or of a 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.

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, corporate secretary, the president, the controller, the chief financial officer. the treasurer or the general counsel of the Borrower or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility; or, with respect to compliance with financial covenants or delivery of financial information, the chief financial officer, the controller or the treasurer of the Borrower or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of SpinCo (and following the PPG Acquisition, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Axiall) that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Priority Collateral” as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

RMT Note Documents” means the RMT Note Indenture, the RMT Notes and all documents entered into in connection therewith.

RMT Notes” means 4 5/8% senior unsecured notes due 2021 issued by PPG and governed by the terms of the RMT Note Indenture in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $688,000,000.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government or (d) a Person resident in or determined to be a resident in a country, in each case, that is subject to a country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

Sanctioned Person” means a person named on the list of “specially designated nationals” maintained by OFAC.

Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date” means January 15, 2017.

Secured Note Documents” means the Secured Note Indenture, the Secured Notes and all documents entered into in connection therewith.

Secured Note Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of the December 22, 2009, by and among Axiall, the various Subsidiaries of Axiall party thereto as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, governing the Secured Notes.

Secured Notes” means the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 issued by Axiall and governed by the terms of the Secured Note Indenture in a maximum aggregate principal amount of approximately $447,000,000.

Secured Party” means Administrative Agent, each Lender, each other Indemnitee and each other holder of any Obligation of a Credit Party.

 

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Software” means (a) all computer programs, including source code and object code versions, (b) all data, databases and compilations of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, and (c) all documentation, training materials and configurations related to any of the foregoing.

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that, as of such date, (a) the value of the assets of such Person (both at fair value and present fair saleable value) is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person, (b) such Person is able to pay all liabilities of such Person as such liabilities mature and (c) such Person does not have unreasonably small capital. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Special Flood Hazard Area” means an area that FEMA’s current flood maps indicate has at least a one percent (1%) chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year.

SPV” means any special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in a writing by any Lender to Administrative Agent.

Stock” means all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting.

Stock Equivalents” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock or any other Stock Equivalent and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Stock or any other Stock Equivalent, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) which is subordinated to the Obligations as to right and time of payment and as to other rights and remedies thereunder, (ii) which does not mature or require principal payments to be made in cash at any time prior to the date that is three months after the Maturity Date and (iii) with respect to which no amortization payments are required to be paid in cash, and having such other terms as are, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

Subsidiary” of a Person means any corporation, association, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting Stock, is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” of SpinCo or Axiall, as applicable, shall mean a “Restricted Subsidiary” (unless specified as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary”).

Syndication Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Target” means any Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in an Acquisition.

 

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Tax Affiliate” means (a) SpinCo and its Subsidiaries, (b) any Affiliate of the Borrower with which the Borrower files or is required to file tax returns on a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group basis and (c) upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, Axiall and its Subsidiaries.

TCI” means Taiwan Chlorine Industries, Ltd., a Taiwanese company.

TCI Interests” means the Stock and Stock Equivalents of TCI.

Test Period” means the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended on or prior to such time (taken as one accounting period); provided that the first Test Period shall be June 30, 2013.

Title Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in Schedule 4.17.

Title IV Plan” means a pension plan, as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, to which any ERISA Affiliate incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated total Indebtedness of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of determination to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four full Fiscal Quarters for which internal financial statements of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries are available, in each case, subject to pro forma adjustments made in a manner consistent with Section 11.7, for the most recent four quarters for which financial statements are available.

Trade Secrets” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to trade secrets.

Trademark” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.

Treasury Regulation” means the income tax regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations are amended from time to time.

Type” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan.

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

United States” and “U.S.” each means the United States of America.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any (a) Subsidiary of Axiall that is designated by the board of directors of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of such board of directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary (i) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt, (ii) except as permitted by Section 5.6 hereof is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with Axiall or any Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Axiall or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Axiall, (iii) is a Person with respect

 

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to which neither Axiall nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (A) to subscribe for additional Stock or (B) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results and (iv) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of (a) Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, that so long as such Indebtedness, guarantee or credit support is unsecured or secured by Liens permitted by Section 5.1, clauses (i) and (iii) and the percentage of credit support provided by or direct or indirect liability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Indebtedness is less than or equal to the Borrower’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s percentage ownership of the Stock of such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not apply to an Unrestricted Subsidiary whose principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility. As of the Closing Date, all Unrestricted Subsidiaries are set forth on Schedule 11.1(c).

U.S. Subsidiary” means each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary) of SpinCo or Axiall, as applicable, that is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement” means that certain U.S. ABL Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2009, made by the U.S. credit parties therein in favor of administrative agent therein, for the benefit of the secured parties therein, as the same may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary in which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) one hundred percent (100%) of the Stock and Stock Equivalents, at the time as of which any determination is being made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by any Credit Party, or by one or more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.

11.2 Other Interpretive Provisions.

(a) Defined Terms. Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms defined in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meanings of defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein described.

(b) The Agreement. The words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document; and subsection, section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents unless otherwise specified.

(c) Certain Common Terms. The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced. The term “including” is not limiting and means “including without limitation.”

(d) Performance; Time. Whenever any performance obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than a payment obligation) shall be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business Day. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and including.” If any provision of this Agreement or any other

 

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Loan Document refers to any action taken or to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action.

(e) Contracts. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, references to agreements and other contractual instruments, including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, thereto, restatements and substitutions thereof and other modifications and supplements thereto which are in effect from time to time, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document.

(f) Laws. References to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions related thereto or consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

11.3 Accounting Terms and Principles. All accounting determinations required to be made pursuant hereto shall, unless expressly otherwise provided herein, be made in accordance with GAAP. No change in the accounting principles used in the preparation of any financial statement hereafter adopted by the Borrower shall be given effect for purposes of measuring compliance with any provision of Article V or VI unless the Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders agree to modify such provisions to reflect such changes in GAAP and, unless such provisions are modified, all financial statements, Compliance Certificates and similar documents provided hereunder shall be provided together with a reconciliation between the calculations and amounts set forth therein before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to in Article V and Article VI shall be made, without giving effect to any election under ASC Subtopic 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party at “fair value.” A breach of a financial covenant contained in Article VI shall be deemed to have occurred as of any date of determination by Administrative Agent or as of the last day of any specified measurement period, regardless of when the financial statements reflecting such breach are delivered to Administrative Agent.

11.4 Payments. Administrative Agent may set up standards and procedures to determine or redetermine the equivalent in Dollars of any amount expressed in any currency other than Dollars and otherwise may, but shall not be obligated to, rely on any determination made by any Credit Party. Any such determination or redetermination by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. No determination or redetermination by any Secured Party or any Credit Party and no other currency conversion shall change or release any obligation of any Credit Party or of any Secured Party (other than Administrative Agent and its Related Persons) under any Loan Document, each of which agrees to pay separately for any shortfall remaining after any conversion and payment of the amount as converted. Administrative Agent may round up or down, and may set up appropriate mechanisms to round up or down, any amount hereunder to nearest higher or lower amounts and may determine reasonable de minimis payment thresholds.

11.5 [Reserved].

11.6 [Reserved].

 

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11.7 Pro Forma Calculations.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 11.7; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.7, when calculating the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio for purposes of determining actual compliance (and not compliance on a pro forma basis) with Section 6.1, the events described in this Section 11.7 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect.

(b) For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, any Permitted Acquisition or Disposition (each a “Subject Transaction”) (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Subject Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Subject Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period. If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Subject Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 11.7, then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto in accordance with this Section 11.7.

(c) In the event that any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, as the case may be (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes), (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the last day of the applicable Test Period.

(d) Whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Subject Transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments (solely to the extent that such adjustments are (A) made consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and (B) (x) are of the type that would be permitted pursuant to Article XI of Regulation S-X and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission or (y) are reasonably consistent with the purposes of such Regulation S-X as determined in good faith by Axiall and reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent)) using the historical financial statements of any business so acquired or to be acquired or sold or to be sold and the consolidated financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries which shall be reformulated as if such Subject Transaction, and any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection therewith, had been consummated or incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period (and assuming that such Indebtedness bears interest during any portion of the applicable measurement period prior to the relevant acquisition at the weighted average of the interest rates applicable to outstanding Loans incurred during such period).

11.8 Intecreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver any notices or other documentation to the Notes Collateral Agent and/or Revolving Collateral Agent

 

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(as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), on its behalf, to evidence that it has entered into this Agreement. Each of the PPG Entities hereby acknowledge and agree that it (i) has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement, consents thereto, agrees to recognize all rights granted thereby to the parties contemplated therein, and will not do any act or perform any obligation which is not in accordance with the agreements set forth therein and (ii) is not an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary under the Intercreditor Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

BORROWER:
EAGLE SPINCO INC.
By:  

/s/ Michael H. McGarry

  Name:   Michael H. McGarry
  Title:   President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Administrative Agent and as Lender
By:  

/s/ Ann E. Sutton

  Name:   Ann E. Sutton
  Title:   Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]


WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, as Lender
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey M. Foley

  Name:   Jeffrey M. Foley
  Title:   Managing Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Lender
By:  

/s/ Brian Knapp

  Name:   Brian Knapp
  Title:   Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Lender
By:  

/s/ James S. Wolfe

  Name:   James S. Wolfe
  Title:   Managing Director
    Head of US Leveraged Finance

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]

EX-10.3 8 d475663dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of January 28, 2013

by and among

AXIALL CORPORATION (F/K/A GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION),

EAGLE SPINCO INC. AND

ROYAL GROUP, INC.,

as the Borrowers,

THE OTHER PERSONS PARTY HERETO THAT ARE

DESIGNATED AS CREDIT PARTIES,

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,

for itself, as a Lender and Swingline Lender, and as Administrative Agent, Co-

Collateral Agent and Co-Syndication Agent

WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC,

for itself, as a Lender, and as

Co-Collateral Agent and Co-Syndication Agent

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

for itself, as a Lender and as Documentation Agent

and

THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders

***************************************

GE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,

WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC

as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I.

 

THE CREDITS

     2   

1.1

 

Amounts and Terms of Commitments

     2   

1.2

 

Notes

     11   

1.3

 

Interest

     11   

1.4

 

Loan Accounts

     13   

1.5

 

Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing

     14   

1.6

 

Conversion and Continuation Elections

     15   

1.7

 

Optional Prepayments

     16   

1.8

 

Mandatory Prepayments of Loans

     16   

1.9

 

Fees

     18   

1.10

 

Payments by the Borrowers

     19   

1.11

 

Payments by the Lenders to Administrative Agent; Settlement

     21   

1.12

 

Borrower Representative

     23   

1.13

 

Eligible Accounts

     23   

1.14

 

Eligible Inventory

     26   

1.15

 

Increases and Reductions of Commitments

     29   

ARTICLE II.

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     31   

2.1

 

Effectiveness of this Agreement

     31   

2.2

 

Conditions to All Borrowings

     33   

2.3

 

Transitional Procedures

     34   

ARTICLE III.

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     35   

3.1

 

Corporate Existence and Power

     35   

3.2

 

Corporate Authorization; No Contravention

     36   

3.3

 

Governmental Authorization

     36   

3.4

 

Binding Effect

     36   

3.5

 

Litigation

     36   

3.6

 

No Default

     37   

3.7

 

ERISA Compliance

     37   

3.8

 

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

     37   

3.9

 

Ownership of Property; Liens

     37   

3.10

 

Taxes

     38   

3.11

 

Financial Condition

     38   

3.12

 

Environmental Matters

     39   

3.13

 

Regulated Entities

     40   

3.14

 

Solvency

     40   

3.15

 

Labor Relations

     40   

3.16

 

Intellectual Property

     40   

3.17

 

Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees

     40   

3.18

 

Insurance

     41   

3.19

 

Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock

     41   

3.20

 

Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office

     41   

 

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(continued)

 

         Page  

3.21

 

Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records

     41   

3.22

 

Deposit Accounts and Other Accounts

     41   

3.23

 

Government Contracts

     41   

3.24

 

[Reserved]

     42   

3.25

 

Bonding; Licenses

     42   

3.26

 

Other Financing Documents

     42   

3.27

 

Full Disclosure

     42   

3.28

 

Foreign Assets Control Regulations and Anti-Money Laundering

     42   

3.29

 

Patriot Act

     42   

3.30

 

Canadian Plans

     43   

ARTICLE IV.

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     43   

4.1

 

Financial Statements

     43   

4.2

 

Appraisals; Certificates; Other Information

     44   

4.3

 

Notices

     47   

4.4

 

Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.

     49   

4.5

 

Maintenance of Property

     49   

4.6

 

Insurance

     50   

4.7

 

Payment of Taxes and Claims

     50   

4.8

 

Compliance with Laws

     50   

4.9

 

Inspection of Property and Books and Records

     51   

4.10

 

Use of Proceeds

     51   

4.11

 

Cash Management Systems

     51   

4.12

 

Landlord Agreements

     52   

4.13

 

Further Assurances

     53   

4.14

 

Environmental Matters

     54   

4.15

 

Canadian Pension Plans and Benefit Plans

     55   

4.16

 

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     55   

4.17

 

Post-Closing Matters

     56   

ARTICLE V.

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     56   

5.1

 

Limitation on Liens

     56   

5.2

 

Disposition of Assets

     59   

5.3

 

Consolidations, Mergers, etc.

     60   

5.4

 

Acquisitions; Loans and Investments

     61   

5.5

 

Limitation on Indebtedness

     63   

5.6

 

Employee Loans and Transactions with Affiliates

     66   

5.7

 

[Reserved]

     66   

5.8

 

Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds

     66   

5.9

 

Contingent Obligations

     66   

5.10

 

Compliance with ERISA

     67   

5.11

 

Restricted Payments

     68   

5.12

 

Change in Business

     69   

5.13

 

Change in Structure

     69   

 

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(continued)

 

         Page  

5.14

 

Changes in Accounting, Name or Jurisdiction of Organization

     70   

5.15

 

Amendments to Other Financing Documents and Subordinated Indebtedness

     70   

5.16

 

No Negative Pledges

     70   

5.17

 

OFAC; Patriot Act

     71   

5.18

 

Sale-Leasebacks

     71   

5.19

 

Hazardous Materials

     71   

5.20

 

[Reserved]

     71   

5.21

 

Canadian Pension Plans; Pensions and Benefit Plans

     71   

5.22

 

Canadian Changes

     71   

5.23

 

Permitted Reorganization

     72   

ARTICLE VI.

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT

     72   

6.1

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

     72   

ARTICLE VII.

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     73   

7.1

 

Events of Default

     73   

7.2

 

Remedies

     75   

7.3

 

Rights Not Exclusive

     75   

7.4

 

Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit

     75   

ARTICLE VIII.

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     76   

8.1

 

Appointment and Duties

     76   

8.2

 

Binding Effect

     77   

8.3

 

Use of Discretion

     77   

8.4

 

Delegation of Rights and Duties

     78   

8.5

 

Reliance and Liability

     78   

8.6

 

Agents Individually

     80   

8.7

 

Lender Credit Decision

     80   

8.8

 

Expenses; Indemnities; Withholding

     80   

8.9

 

Resignation of Administrative Agent or L/C Issuer

     81   

8.10

 

Release of Collateral or Guarantors

     82   

8.11

 

Additional Secured Parties

     83   

8.12

 

Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent

     84   

8.13

 

Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matters

     84   

8.14

 

Quebec Security

     84   

ARTICLE IX.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

     85   

9.1

 

Amendments and Waivers

     85   

9.2

 

Notices

     87   

9.3

 

Electronic Transmissions

     88   

9.4

 

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     89   

 

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(continued)

 

         Page  

9.5

 

Costs and Expenses

     89   

9.6

 

Indemnity

     90   

9.7

 

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside

     91   

9.8

 

Successors and Assigns

     91   

9.9

 

Assignments and Participations; Binding Effect

     91   

9.10

 

Non-Public Information; Confidentiality

     94   

9.11

 

Set-off; Sharing of Payments

     96   

9.12

 

Counterparts; Facsimile Signature

     97   

9.13

 

Severability

     97   

9.14

 

Captions

     97   

9.15

 

Independence of Provisions

     97   

9.16

 

Interpretation

     97   

9.17

 

No Third Parties Benefited

     98   

9.18

 

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

     98   

9.19

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     99   

9.20

 

Entire Agreement; Release; Survival

     99   

9.21

 

Patriot Act

     99   

9.22

 

Replacement of Lender

     100   

9.23

 

[Reserved]

     100   

9.24

 

Creditor-Debtor Relationship

     100   

9.25

 

Judgment Currency

     100   

9.26

 

Actions in Concert

     101   

ARTICLE X.

 

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     101   

10.1

 

Taxes

     101   

10.2

 

Illegality

     104   

10.3

 

Increased Costs and Reduction of Return

     105   

10.4

 

Funding Losses

     106   

10.5

 

Inability to Determine Rates

     107   

10.6

 

Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans

     107   

10.7

 

Certificates of Lenders

     107   

ARTICLE XI.

 

DEFINITIONS

     108   

11.1

 

Defined Terms

     108   

11.2

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     145   

11.3

 

Accounting Terms and Principles

     146   

11.4

 

Payments

     146   

11.5

 

Several Obligations of the Canadian Credit Parties

     146   

11.6

 

Joint and Several Liability of the U.S. Borrowers

     147   

11.7

 

Pro Forma Calculations

     148   

11.8

 

Intercreditor Agreement

     149   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SCHEDULES:

 

1.1(a)   

Revolving Loan Commitments

3.5   

Litigation

3.7   

ERISA

3.8   

Effective Date Sources and Uses; Funds Flow Memorandum

3.9   

Material Permits

3.10   

Tax Returns Under Audit or Examination

3.11(a)   

Historical Financial Statements

3.11(b)   

Pro Forma Financial Statements

3.11(e)   

Projections

3.12   

Environmental Matters

3.15   

Labor Relations

3.16   

Intellectual Property

3.17   

Brokers Fees; Transaction Fees

3.18   

Insurance

3.19   

Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock

3.20   

Jurisdictions of Organization; Chief Executive Office

3.21   

Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records

3.22   

Deposit Accounts and Other Accounts

3.23   

Government Contracts

3.25   

Bonding; Licenses

3.30   

Canadian Benefit Plans and Canadian Pension Plans

4.17   

Post-Closing Matters

5.1   

Liens

5.2   

Dispositions

5.4   

Investments

5.5   

Indebtedness

5.6   

Transactions with Affiliates

5.9   

Contingent Obligations

9.2   

Notices

11.1(b)   

Immaterial Subsidiaries

11.1(c)   

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

EXHIBITS:

 

1.1(b)   

Form of L/C Request

1.1(c)   

Form of Swing Loan Request

1.6   

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation

2.1   

Closing Checklist

4.2(b)   

Form of Compliance Certificate

11.1(a)   

Form of Assignment

11.1(b)   

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

11.1(c)   

Form of Notice of Borrowing

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

11.1(d)   

Revolving Note

11.1(e)   

Swingline Note

 

i


AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (including all exhibits and schedules hereto, as the same may be amended, modified and/or restated from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 28, 2013, by and among AXIALL CORPORATION (F/K/A GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION), a Delaware corporation (“Axiall”), Eagle Spinco Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SpinCo”; together with Axiall, the “U.S. Borrowers”), ROYAL GROUP, INC., a Canadian federal corporation (the “Canadian Borrower”) (the U.S. Borrowers and the Canadian Borrower are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “Borrowers” and individually as a “Borrower”), the other Persons party hereto that are designated as a “Credit Party”, General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (in its individual capacity, “GE Capital”), as Administrative Agent for the several financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually each a “Lender”), as Co-Collateral Agent and for itself as a Lender (including as Swingline Lender), such Lenders, WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC (“Wells Fargo”) as Co-Collateral Agent and BARCLAYS BANK PLC as Documentation Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Axiall intends to acquire (the “PPG Acquisition”) SpinCo and certain of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “PPG Entities”) from PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG”) pursuant to a Merger Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012 (the “PPG Merger Agreement”) by and among SpinCo, PPG, Axiall and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc.;

WHEREAS, in connection with the PPG Acquisition, SpinCo will enter into that certain (i) Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time not in violation of this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, the “Term Loan Agreement”), by and among SpinCo, each of the other borrowers party thereto, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties from time to time party thereto in an aggregate principal amount of $280 million and (ii) an unsecured indenture, dated the date hereof (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time not in violation of this Agreement, the “2013 Indenture”) by and among Spinco, each of the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which $688 million aggregate principal amount of 4.625% Senior Notes due 2021 will be issued;

WHEREAS, upon consummation of the PPG Acquisition, Axiall and its Related Subsidiaries will become parties to the Term Loan Agreement and the 2013 Indenture;

WHEREAS, under the Credit Agreement, dated as December 22, 2009 (as amended, modified or otherwise supplemented prior to the date hereof, the “Prior ABL Credit Agreement”), by and among Axiall, Canadian Borrower, the lenders and letter of credit issuers party thereto (collectively, the “Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders”) and GE Capital as agent for the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders, the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders made available to Axiall and Canadian Borrower a revolving asset-based credit facility;

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently with the closing of the PPG Acquisition and entering into the Term Loan Agreement and the 2013 Indenture, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders enter into this Agreement in order to (a) amend and restate the Prior ABL Credit


Agreement and renew and continue the loans (such loans, the “Prior ABL Credit Agreement Loans”) and commitments thereunder in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 (the “Prior ABL Credit Agreement Commitments”) and (b) extend additional credit to the Borrowers hereunder in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 (the “Upsize ABL Commitments”) subject to the terms and conditions herein (the closing of the PPG Acquisition and the entrance into this Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the 2013 Indenture, being collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions”);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested, and the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrowers, a revolving credit facility (including a letter of credit subfacility) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement to (a) provide for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and (b) fund certain fees and expenses associated with the funding of the Loans and the Transactions;

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire to secure all of their Obligations under the Loan Documents by granting to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon the U.S. Collateral and the Canadian Collateral; and

WHEREAS, subject to the terms hereof, (i) each U.S. Subsidiary of Axiall that is a U.S. Credit Party is willing to guarantee all of the Obligations of the Borrowers and to grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon all of its U.S. Collateral and (ii) each Canadian Subsidiary of Axiall that is a Canadian Credit Party is willing to guarantee all of the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower and to grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon substantially all of its Canadian Collateral;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

THE CREDITS

1.1 Amounts and Terms of Commitments.

(a) The Revolving Credit.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained herein, each Revolving Lender severally and not jointly agrees to make (A) Loans denominated in Dollars to the U.S. Borrowers (each such Loan, a “U.S. Revolving Loan”) and (B) Loans denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars to the Canadian Borrower (each such Loan, a “Canadian Revolving Loan” and together with the U.S. Revolving Loans, collectively, the “Revolving Loans”) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date through the Final Availability Date, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule 1.1(a) under the heading “Revolving Loan Commitments” (such amount as the same may be reduced or increased from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, being referred to herein as such Lender’s “Revolving Loan Commitment”); provided, however, that after giving effect to (A) any Borrowing of Revolving Loans, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving

 

2


Loans shall not exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance (B) any Borrowing of U.S. Revolving Loans, subject to clause (ii) below, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance and (C) any Borrowing of Canadian Revolving Loans, subject to clause (ii) below, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance; provided, further, that the Borrowers may not borrow during any Cash Dominion Grace Period unless Axiall has waived application of such Cash Dominion Grace Period. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, amounts borrowed under this subsection 1.1(a) may be repaid and reborrowed from time to time. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Article II of this Agreement, on the Effective Date, any Prior ABL Credit Agreement Loans and letters of credit issued under the Prior ABL Credit Agreement shall, in accordance with Section 2.3 of this Agreement, be deemed to be Revolving Loans, Swing Loans and Letters of Credit, as applicable, under this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.3.

(ii) If the Borrower Representative requests that Revolving Lenders make, or permit to remain outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans in excess of the U.S. Borrowing Base (any such excess U.S. Revolving Loan is herein referred to as a “U.S. Overadvance”) or Canadian Revolving Loans in excess of the Canadian Borrowing Base (any such excess Canadian Revolving Loan is herein referred to as a “Canadian Overadvance” and each U.S. Overadvance and Canadian Overadvance herein referred to as an “Overadvance”), Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to make, or permit to remain outstanding such Overadvance; provided, however, that Administrative Agent may not cause Revolving Lenders to make, or permit to remain outstanding, (A) Revolving Loans the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of which exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance or (B) Overadvances the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of which exceeds 7.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment. If an Overadvance is made, or permitted to remain outstanding, pursuant to the preceding sentence, then all Revolving Lenders shall be bound to make, or permit to remain outstanding, such Overadvance based upon their Commitment Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, regardless of whether the conditions to lending set forth in Section 2.2 have been met. Furthermore, Required Lenders may prospectively revoke Administrative Agent’s ability to make or permit Overadvances by written notice to Administrative Agent. All Overadvances shall constitute Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable, and shall bear interest at the Base Rate or the Canadian Index Rate, as the case may be, plus the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans and the default rate under subsection 1.3(c). Within thirty (30) days of the date that any Overadvance is made or allowed to remain outstanding, such Overadvance shall be repaid.

(iii) Administrative Agent shall be authorized, in its discretion, (a) after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or (b) at any time that any conditions in Section 2.2 are not satisfied, to make Revolving Loans (“Protective Advances”) in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed 7.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment at any time, if Administrative Agent deems such Loans necessary or desirable to preserve or protect the Collateral, to enhance the collectability or repayment of the Obligations or to pay any other amounts chargeable to the Credit Parties under any Loan Documents, including costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, all amounts expended pursuant to Section 7.1 of the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement). Subject to the following paragraph, each Lender shall participate in Protective Advances on a pro rata basis. Required

 

3


Lenders may prospectively revoke Administrative Agent’s ability to make such Protective Advances by written notice to Administrative Agent. All Protective Advances shall constitute Base Rate Loans and shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans and the default rate under subsection 1.3(c). Each Protective Advance shall be payable on demand.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) no Overadvance or Protective Advance may be made by Administrative Agent if such advance would cause the aggregate principal amount of all Overadvances and Protective Advances outstanding to exceed 7.5% of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) to the extent any Protective Advance would cause the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of outstanding Revolving Loans to exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance, each such Protective Advance shall be for Administrative Agent’s sole and separate account and not for the account of any Lender.

(b) Letters of Credit.

(i) Conditions. On the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, upon any request by the Borrower Representative, each applicable L/C Issuer agrees to issue Letters of Credit in accordance with such L/C Issuers’ usual and customary business practices and for the account of (A) the U.S. Borrowers or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a U.S. Subsidiary (provided that any such Letter of Credit issued for the benefit of any such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Borrower shall be issued naming the U.S. Borrowers as the account parties on any such Letter of Credit but such Letter of Credit may contain a statement that it is being issued for the benefit of such Restricted Subsidiary), Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars (each such Letter of Credit, a “U.S. Letter of Credit”) or (B) the Canadian Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Canadian Subsidiary (provided that any such Letter of Credit issued for the benefit of any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be issued naming the Canadian Borrower as the account party on any such Letter of Credit but such Letter of Credit may contain a statement that it is being issued for the benefit of such Restricted Subsidiary), Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars (each such Letter of Credit, a “Canadian Letter of Credit”) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date through the earlier of (x) the Revolving Termination Date and (y) seven (7) days prior to the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of Revolving Termination Date; provided, however, that no L/C Issuer shall Issue any Letter of Credit upon the occurrence of any of the following or, if after giving effect to such Issuance:

(1) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance;

(2) with respect to the Issuance of U.S. Letters of Credit, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of U.S. Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance;

(3) with respect to the Issuance of a Canadian Letter of Credit, (x) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of Canadian Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance or (y) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Obligations for all Canadian Letters of Credit would exceed $60,000,000 (the “Canadian L/C Sublimit”);

 

4


(4) U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Obligations for all Letters of Credit would exceed $200,000,000 (the “L/C Sublimit”);

(5) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit (i) is not a Business Day, (ii) is more than one year after the date of issuance thereof or (iii) is later than seven (7) days prior to the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of Revolving Termination Date; provided, however, that any Letter of Credit with a term not exceeding one year may provide for its renewal for additional periods not exceeding one year as long as (x) each of the Applicable Borrower and such L/C Issuer have the option to prevent such renewal before the expiration of such term or any such period and (y) neither such L/C Issuer nor any Borrower shall permit any such renewal to extend such expiration date beyond the date set forth in clause (iii) above, unless Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer otherwise consents and such Letter of Credit is cash collateralized in a manner satisfactory to Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer; or

(6) (i) any fee due in connection with, and on or prior to, such Issuance has not been paid, (ii) as of the date of issuance, no order of any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Authority shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain money center banks generally from issuing letters of credit of the type and in the amount of the proposed Letter of Credit, and no law, rule or regulation applicable to money center banks generally and no request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over money center banks generally shall prohibit, or request that the applicable L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (iii) such Letter of Credit is requested to be issued in a form that is not acceptable to such L/C Issuer or (iv) such L/C Issuer shall not have received, each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to it and duly executed by the Applicable Borrower or the Borrower Representative on its behalf, the documents that such L/C Issuer generally uses in the Ordinary Course of Business for the Issuance of letters of credit of the type of such Letter of Credit (collectively, the “L/C Reimbursement Agreement”).

Furthermore, GE Capital as an L/C Issuer may elect to issue Letters of Credit only in its own name and may issue Letters of Credit only to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law, and such Letters of Credit may not be accepted by certain beneficiaries such as insurance companies. For each Issuance, the applicable L/C Issuer may, but shall not be required to, determine that, or take notice whether, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.2 have been satisfied or waived in connection with the Issuance of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that no Letter of Credit shall be Issued during the period starting on the first Business Day after the receipt by such L/C Issuer of notice from Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders that any condition precedent contained in Section 2.2 is not satisfied and ending on the date all such conditions are satisfied or duly waived. If (i) any Lender is a Non-Funding Lender and (ii) the reallocation of that Non-Funding Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations to the other Revolving Lenders would reasonably be expected to cause the Letter of Credit Obligations and Revolving Loans of any Lender to exceed its Revolving Loan Commitment, taking into account the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans and expected advances of Revolving Loans as determined by Administrative Agent, then no Letters of Credit may be issued or renewed unless the Non-Funding Lender has been replaced, the Letter of Credit Obligations of that Non-Funding Lender have been cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer, or the Revolving Loan Commitments of the other Lenders have been increased by an amount sufficient to satisfy Administrative Agent that all future Letter of Credit Obligations will be covered by all Revolving Lenders who are not Non-Funding Lenders.

 

5


(ii) Requests for Letters of Credit. The Borrower Representative requesting a Letter of Credit on behalf of a Borrower shall give Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer at least two (2) Business Days’ (or four (4) Business Days’ with respect to each Canadian Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) prior written notice of the Borrower Representative’s request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit on such Borrower’s behalf together with an application, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent, for the issuance of the Letter of Credit and such other Letter of Credit Documents as may be reasonably required by Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer. Such notice shall be irrevocable and shall (A) specify the original face amount of the Letter of Credit requested (or identify the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended), (B) with respect to Canadian Letters of Credit, whether such Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars (which shall be Dollars if such notice does not so specify), (C) the effective date (which date shall be a Business Day and in no event shall be a date less than ten (10) days prior to the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of Revolving Termination Date) of issuance of such requested Letter of Credit (or such amendment, renewal or extension), (D) whether such Letter of Credit may be drawn in a single or in partial draws, (E) the date on which such requested Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall be a Business Day and in no event shall be a date later than seven (7) days prior to the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of Revolving Termination Date), (F) the purpose for which such Letter of Credit is to be issued, (G) the name and address of the beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit, (H) such other information as shall be necessary to enable the applicable L/C Issuer to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit and (I) the proposed terms of the Letter of Credit. In no event shall a Letter of Credit be issued, amended, renewed or extended unless the forms and terms of the proposed Letter of Credit (as amended, renewed or extended, as the case may be) are reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer.

(iii) Notice of Issuance. The Borrower Representative shall give the relevant L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent a notice of any requested Issuance of any Letter of Credit, which shall be effective only if received by such L/C Issuer and Administrative Agent not later than at least two (2) Business Days’ (or four (4) Business Days’ with respect to each Canadian Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) prior to the date of such requested Issuance. Such notice shall be made in a writing or Electronic Transmission substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1(c) duly completed or in a writing in any other form acceptable to such L/C Issuer (an “L/C Request”).

(iv) Reporting Obligations of L/C Issuers. Each L/C Issuer agrees to provide Administrative Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, each of the following on the following dates: (A) (i) on or prior to any Issuance of any Letter of Credit by such L/C Issuer, (ii) immediately after any drawing under any such Letter of Credit or (iii) immediately after any payment (or failure to pay when due) by the Borrowers of any related L/C Reimbursement Obligation, notice thereof, which shall contain a detailed description of such Issuance, drawing or payment, and Administrative Agent shall provide copies of such notices to each Revolving Lender reasonably promptly after receipt thereof; (B) upon the request of Administrative Agent (or any Revolving Lender through Administrative Agent), copies of any Letter of Credit Issued by such L/C Issuer and any related L/C Reimbursement Agreement and such other documents and information as may reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent;

 

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and (C) on the first Business Day of each calendar week, a schedule of the Letters of Credit Issued by such L/C Issuer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, setting forth the Letter of Credit Obligations for such Letters of Credit outstanding on the last Business Day of the previous calendar week.

(v) Acquisition of Participations. Upon any Issuance of a Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms of this Agreement resulting in any increase in the Letter of Credit Obligations, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have acquired, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Letter of Credit and the related Letter of Credit Obligations in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of such Letter of Credit Obligations. Each Lender shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not as surety, and be obligated to pay to the applicable L/C Issuer therefor and discharge when due, its pro rata share of all of such obligations arising under such Letter of Credit. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender’s participation in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the applicable L/C Issuer has not been reimbursed or otherwise paid as required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each such Lender shall pay to such L/C Issuer its pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing or other amounts then due to such L/C Issuer in connection therewith. If such amount is not made available by a Lender when due, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount was due until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent at the interest rate then payable by any Borrower in respect of Loans that are Base Rate Loans. All payments made by the Lenders pursuant to this Section 1.1(b)(v) shall be funded in Dollars based on the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the applicable obligation.

(vi) Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrowers. The U.S. Borrowers agree to pay to the L/C Issuer of any U.S. Letter of Credit each L/C Reimbursement Obligation owing with respect to such U.S. Letter of Credit and the Canadian Borrower agrees to pay to the L/C Issuer of any Canadian Letter of Credit, in the applicable currency, each L/C Reimbursement Obligation owing with respect to such Canadian Letter of Credit and, each Applicable Borrower agrees to pay all other charges and fees payable to such L/C Issuer in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower immediately when due irrespective of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which such Borrower may have at any time against such L/C Issuer or any other Person, in each case, no later than the first Business Day after the Applicable Borrower or the Borrower Representative receives notice from such L/C Issuer that payment has been made under such Letter of Credit or that such L/C Reimbursement Obligation is otherwise due (the “L/C Reimbursement Date”) with interest thereon computed as set forth in clause (A) below. In the event that any L/C Issuer incurs any L/C Reimbursement Obligation which is not repaid by the Applicable Borrower as provided in this clause (vi) (or any such payment by the Applicable Borrower is rescinded or set aside for any reason), such L/C Issuer shall promptly notify Administrative Agent of such failure (and, upon receipt of such notice, Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender) and, irrespective of whether such notice is given, such L/C Reimbursement Obligation shall be payable on demand by the Applicable Borrower with interest thereon computed (A) from the date on which such L/C Reimbursement Obligation arose to the L/C Reimbursement Date, at the interest rate applicable during such period to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable and (B) thereafter until payment in full, at the interest rate applicable during such period to past due Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable.

 

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(vii) Reimbursement Obligations of the Revolving Lenders. If no Revolving Lender is a Non-Funding Lender (or if the only Non-Funding Lender is the L/C Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit), upon receipt of the notice described in clause (vi) above from Administrative Agent, each Revolving Lender shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Commitment Percentage of such Letter of Credit Obligations. If any Revolving Lender (other than the Revolving Lender that is the L/C Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit) is a Non-Funding Lender, that Non-Funding Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations shall be reallocated to and assumed by the other Revolving Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Commitment Percentages of the Revolving Loan (calculated as if the Non-Funding Lender’s Commitment Percentage was reduced to zero and each other Revolving Lender’s Commitment Percentage had been increased proportionately). If any Revolving Lender (other than the Revolving Lender that is the L/C Issuer that issued such Letter of Credit) is a Non-Funding Lender, upon receipt of the notice described in clause (vi) above from Administrative Agent, each Revolving Lender that is not a Non-Funding Lender shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its pro-rata share (increased as described above) of the Letter of Credit Obligations that from time to time remain outstanding (the aggregate amount required to be funded pursuant to this sentence by such Revolving Lenders that are not Non-Funding Lenders in excess of the amount such Revolving Lenders would have otherwise been required to fund in accordance with the first sentence of this clause (vii) in the event there were no Non-Funding Lenders is referred to as the “Aggregate Excess Funding Amount”); provided, that no Revolving Lender shall be required to fund any amount which would result in the sum of its outstanding Revolving Loans, outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, amounts of its participations in Swing Loans and its pro rata share of unparticipated amounts in Swing Loans to exceed its Revolving Loan Commitment. By making such payment (other than during the continuation of an Event of Default under subsection 7.1(f) or 7.1(g)), such Lender shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan to the Applicable Borrower, which, upon receipt thereof by such L/C Issuer, such Borrower shall be deemed to have used in whole to repay such L/C Reimbursement Obligation. Any such payment that is not deemed a Revolving Loan shall be deemed a funding by such Lender of its participation in the applicable Letter of Credit and the Letter of Credit Obligation in respect of the related L/C Reimbursement Obligations. Such participation shall not otherwise be required to be funded. Following receipt by any L/C Issuer of any payment from any Lender pursuant to this clause (vii) with respect to any portion of any L/C Reimbursement Obligation, such L/C Issuer shall promptly pay over to such Lender all duplicate payments received from Persons other than Lenders making payment on behalf of a Credit Party by such L/C Issuer with respect to such portion of such L/C Reimbursement Obligation.

(viii) Indemnification; Assumption of Risk. The Credit Parties shall indemnify and hold Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses which Administrative Agent or any Lender may suffer or incur in connection with any Letter of Credit and any documents, drafts or acceptances relating thereto, including any losses (including currency fluctuations), claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses due to any action taken by the applicable L/C Issuer or correspondent with respect to any Letter of Credit, except to the extent such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent or any Lender as determined pursuant to a final non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Credit Party assumes all risks with respect to the acts or omissions of the drawer under or beneficiary of any Letter of Credit. None of Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be responsible for paying any foreign, federal, state or local taxes, duties or levies relating to any goods subject to any Letter of Credit or any documents, drafts or

 

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acceptances thereunder. Each Credit Party hereby releases and holds Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from and against any acts, waivers, errors, delays or omissions with respect to or relating to any Letter of Credit, except for the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent or any Lender as determined pursuant to a final, non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this clause (viii) shall survive the payment of Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(ix) Obligations Absolute. The obligations of the Borrowers and the Revolving Lenders pursuant to clauses (iv), (v) and (vi) above shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement irrespective of (A) (i) the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision in any Letter of Credit, any document transferring or purporting to transfer a Letter of Credit, any Loan Document (including the sufficiency of any such instrument), or any modification to any provision of any of the foregoing, (ii) any document presented under a Letter of Credit being forged, fraudulent, invalid, insufficient or inaccurate in any respect or failing to comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iii) any loss or delay, including in the transmission of any document, (B) the existence of any setoff, claim, abatement, recoupment, defense or other right that any Person (including any Credit Party) may have against the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other Person, whether in connection with any Loan Document or any other Contractual Obligation or transaction, or the existence of any other withholding, abatement or reduction, (C) in the case of the obligations of any Revolving Lender, (i) the failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 2.2 to be satisfied (each of which conditions precedent the Revolving Lenders hereby irrevocably waive) or (ii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of any Credit Party and (D) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind of Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person or any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this clause (vii), constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any obligation of any Borrower or any Revolving Lender hereunder. No provision hereof shall be deemed to waive or limit any Borrower’s right to seek repayment of any payment of any L/C Reimbursement Obligations from the L/C Issuer under the terms of the applicable L/C Reimbursement Agreement or applicable law.

(c) Swing Loans.

(i) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained herein, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, make (x) Loans denominated in Dollars available to the U.S. Borrowers (each a “U.S. Swing Loan”) under the Revolving Loan Commitments from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date through the Final Availability Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the U.S. Swingline Commitment and (y) Loans denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars available to the Canadian Borrower (each a “Canadian Swing Loan” and together with the U.S. Swing Loans, collectively the “Swing Loans”) under the Revolving Loan Commitments from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date through the Final Availability Date, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the Canadian Swingline Commitment; provided, however, that the Swingline Lender may not make any Swing Loan (A) to the extent that after giving effect to such Swing Loan, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance, (B) with respect to any U.S. Swing Loan, to the extent that after giving effect to such U.S. Swing Loan, the aggregate principal amount of

 

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all U.S. Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance, (C) with respect to any Canadian Swing Loan, to the extent that after giving effect to such Canadian Swing Loan, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Canadian Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance and (D) during the period commencing on the first Business Day after it receives notice from Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders that one or more of the conditions precedent contained in Section 2.2 are not satisfied and ending when such conditions are satisfied or duly waived. In connection with the making of any Swing Loan, the Swingline Lender may but shall not be required to determine that, or take notice whether, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.2 have been satisfied or waived. Each Swing Loan denominated in Dollars shall be a Base Rate Loan, each Swing Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be a Canadian Index Rate Loan, and in each case, must be repaid as provided herein, but in any event must be repaid in full on the Revolving Termination Date. Within the limits set forth in the first sentence of this clause (i), amounts of Swing Loans repaid may be reborrowed under this clause (i).

(ii) Borrowing Procedures. In order to request a Swing Loan, the Borrower Representative shall give to Administrative Agent a notice to be received not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the day of the proposed Borrowing, which shall be made in a writing or in an Electronic Transmission substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.1(d) or in a writing in any other form acceptable to Administrative Agent duly completed (a “Swingline Request”). In addition, if any Notice of Borrowing of Revolving Loans requests a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, the Swingline Lender may, notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, make a Swing Loan denominated in the applicable currency to the Applicable Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed such proposed Borrowing, and the aggregate amount of the corresponding proposed Borrowing shall be reduced accordingly by the principal amount of such Swing Loan. Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Swingline Lender of the details of the requested Swing Loan. Upon receipt of such notice and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender may make a Swing Loan available to the Applicable Borrower by making the proceeds thereof available to Administrative Agent and, in turn, Administrative Agent shall make such proceeds available to the Applicable Borrower on the date set forth in the relevant Swingline Request or Notice of Borrowing.

(iii) Refinancing Swing Loans. If no Revolving Lender is a Non-Funding Lender, the Swingline Lender may at any time (and shall, no less frequently than once each week) forward a demand to Administrative Agent (which Administrative Agent shall, upon receipt, forward to each Revolving Lender) that each Revolving Lender pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Swing Loans. If any Revolving Lender is a Non-Funding Lender, that Non-Funding Lender’s reimbursement obligations with respect to the Swing Loans shall be reallocated to and assumed by the other Revolving Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Commitment Percentages of the Revolving Loans (calculated as if the Non-Funding Lender’s Commitment Percentage was reduced to zero and each other Revolving Lender’s Commitment Percentage had been increased proportionately). If any Revolving Lender is a Non-Funding Lender, upon receipt of the demand described above, each Revolving Lender that is not a Non-Funding Lender will be obligated to pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender its pro rata share of the outstanding Swing Loans (increased as described above); provided, that no Revolving Lender shall be required to fund any amount which would result in the sum of its outstanding Revolving Loans, outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, amounts of its participations in Swing Loans and its pro rata share of unparticipated amounts in Swing Loans

 

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to exceed its Revolving Loan Commitment. Each Revolving Lender shall pay the amount owing by it to Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender on the Business Day following receipt of the notice or demand therefor. Payments received by Administrative Agent after 1:00 p.m. (New York time) may, in Administrative Agent’s discretion, be deemed to be received on the next Business Day. Upon receipt by Administrative Agent of such payment (other than during the continuation of any Event of Default under subsection 7.1(f) or 7.1(g)), such Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan to the Applicable Borrower, which, upon receipt of such payment by the Swingline Lender from Administrative Agent, such Borrower shall be deemed to have used in whole to refinance such Swing Loan. In addition, regardless of whether any such demand is made, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under subsection 7.1(f) or 7.1(g), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have acquired, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in each Swing Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such Swing Loan. If any payment made by any Revolving Lender as a result of any such demand is not deemed a Revolving Loan, such payment shall be deemed a funding by such Lender of such participation. Such participation shall not be otherwise required to be funded. Upon receipt by the Swingline Lender of any payment from any Revolving Lender pursuant to this clause (iii) with respect to any portion of any Swing Loan, the Swingline Lender shall promptly pay over to such Revolving Lender all payments of principal (to the extent received after such payment by such Lender) and interest (to the extent accrued with respect to periods after such payment) on account of such Swing Loan received by the Swingline Lender with respect to such portion.

(iv) Obligation to Fund Absolute. Each Revolving Lender’s obligations pursuant to clause (iii) above 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, including (A) the existence of any setoff, claim, abatement, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender, any Affiliate thereof or any other Person may have against the Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent, any other Lender or L/C Issuer or any other Person, (B) the failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 2.2 to be satisfied or the failure of the Borrower Representative to deliver a Notice of Borrowing (each of which requirements the Revolving Lenders hereby irrevocably waive) and (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of any Credit Party.

1.2 Notes.

(a) The Revolving Loans made by each Revolving Lender shall be evidenced by this Agreement and, if requested by such Lender, a Revolving Note made by each Borrower payable to such Lender in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment.

(b) Swing Loans made by the Swingline Lender shall be evidenced by this Agreement and, if requested by such Lender, a Swingline Note made by each Borrower payable to the Swingline Lender in an amount equal to the Swingline Commitment.

1.3 Interest.

(a) Subject to subsections 1.3(c) and 1.3(d), each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the date when made at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR, the Base Rate or the Canadian Index Rate, as the case may be, plus the Applicable

 

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Margin; provided, that (i) Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars shall be either Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) Revolving Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be either LIBOR Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, (iii) Swing Loans denominated in Dollars shall be Base Rate Loans and (iv) Swing Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be Canadian Index Rate Loans. Administrative Agent will with reasonable promptness notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each change to the Applicable Margin as set forth in the definition thereof, provided, that any failure to do so shall not relieve the Borrowers of any liability hereunder or provide the basis for any claim against Administrative Agent. Each determination of an interest rate by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding on each Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. All computations of fees and interest payable under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed, other than interest in respect of Base Rate Loans and Canadian Index Rate Loans, which shall be made on the basis of a 365/366-day year. Interest and fees shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to the last day thereof. For purposes of disclosure pursuant to the Interest Act (Canada), in respect of the Canadian Obligations only, the annual rates of interest or fees to which the rates of interest or fees provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and stated herein or therein, as applicable, to be computed on the basis of a 360 day year or any other period of time less than a calendar year) are equivalent are the rates so determined multiplied by the actual number of days in the applicable calendar year and divided by 360 or such other period of time, respectively.

(b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any payment or prepayment of Loans in full.

(c) At the election of the Required Lenders while any Event of Default is continuing (or automatically while any Event of Default under subsection 7.1(a), 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) exists), the Borrowers shall pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the Loans under the Loan Documents from and after the date of occurrence of such Event of Default, at a rate per annum which is determined by adding two percent (2.0%) per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for such Loans (plus the LIBOR, Base Rate or Canadian Index Rate, as the case may be) subject to the Interest Act (Canada), in the case of Canadian Obligations. All such interest shall be payable on demand of Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders.

(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required, for any period for which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for or receiving such payment by the respective Lender would be contrary to the provisions of any law applicable to such Lender limiting the highest rate of interest which may be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Lender, and in such event the Borrowers shall pay such Lender interest at the highest rate permitted by applicable law (“Maximum Lawful Rate”); provided, however, that if at any time thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less than the Maximum Lawful Rate, the Borrowers shall continue to pay interest hereunder at the Maximum Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, is equal to the total interest that would have been received had the interest payable hereunder been (but for the operation of this paragraph) the interest rate payable since the Effective Date as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

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(e) For greater certainty but without limitation to Section 1.3(d) and in respect of Canadian Obligations or Obligations enforced in Canada only, if any provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents would obligate a Borrower or any other Credit Party to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by law or would result in a receipt by such Lender of interest at a criminal rate (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)) then, notwithstanding such provisions, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by law or so result in a receipt by such Lender of interest at a criminal rate, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, as follows: (1) firstly, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid to such Lender under this Agreement, and (2) thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid to such Lender which would constitute “interest” for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if a Lender shall have received an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by that section of the Criminal Code (Canada), such Borrower shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from such Lender in an amount equal to such excess and, pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by such Lender to such Borrower. Any amount or rate of interest referred to in this Section 1.3(e) shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles as an effective annual rate of interest over the term that the applicable Loan remains outstanding on the assumption that any charges, fees or expenses that fall within the meaning of “interest” (as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada)) shall, if they relate to a specific period of time, be pro-rated over that period of time and otherwise be pro-rated over the period from the Effective Date to the Revolving Termination Date and, in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries appointed by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive for the purposes of such determination.

1.4 Loan Accounts.

(a) Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, shall record on its books and records the amount of each Loan made, the Borrower primarily liable therefor, the interest rate applicable, all payments of principal and interest thereon and the principal balance thereof from time to time outstanding. Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower Representative on a monthly basis a loan statement setting forth such record for the immediately preceding calendar month. Such record shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so, or any failure to deliver such loan statement shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder (and under any Note) to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans or provide the basis for any claim against Administrative Agent.

(b) Administrative Agent, acting as a non-fiduciary Administrative Agent of the Borrowers solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this subsection 1.4(b), shall establish and maintain at its address referred to in Section 9.2 (or at such other address as Administrative Agent may notify the Borrower Representative) (A) a record of ownership (the “Register”) in which Administrative Agent agrees to register by book entry the interests (including any rights to receive payment hereunder) of Administrative Agent, each Lender and each L/C Issuer in the Revolving Loans, Swing Loans, L/C Reimbursement Obligations, and Letter of Credit Obligations, each of their obligations under this Agreement to

 

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participate in each Loan, Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Obligations, and L/C Reimbursement Obligations, and any assignment of any such interest, obligation or right and (B) accounts in the Register in accordance with its usual practice in which it shall record (1) the names and addresses of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (and each change thereto pursuant to Sections 9.9 and 9.22), (2) the Commitments of each Lender, (3) the amount of each Loan and each funding of any participation described in clause (A) above, and for LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (4) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or paid, (5) the amount of the L/C Reimbursement Obligations due and payable or paid in respect of Letters of Credit and (6) any other payment received by Administrative Agent from a Borrower and its application to the Obligations.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including any Notes evidencing such Loans and, in the case of Revolving Loans, the corresponding obligations to participate in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Loans) and the L/C Reimbursement Obligations are registered obligations, the right, title and interest of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers and their assignees in and to such Loans or L/C Reimbursement Obligations, as the case may be, shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register and no assignment thereof shall be effective until recorded therein. This Section 1.4 and Section 9.9 shall be construed so that the Loans and L/C Reimbursement Obligations are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(d) The Credit Parties, Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement. Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender or any L/C Issuer shall be available for access by the Borrowers, the Borrower Representative, Administrative Agent, such Lender or such L/C Issuer during normal business hours and from time to time upon at least one Business Day’s prior notice. No Lender or L/C Issuer shall, in such capacity, have access to or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender or L/C Issuer unless otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent.

1.5 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing.

(a) Each Borrowing of a Revolving Loan shall be made upon the Borrower Representative’s irrevocable (subject to Section 10.5) written notice delivered to Administrative Agent substantially in the form of a Notice of Borrowing or in a writing in any other form acceptable to Administrative Agent, which notice must be received by Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time) (i) on the date which is one (1) Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing date of each Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan and (ii) on the day which is three (3) Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing date in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan. Such Notice of Borrowing shall specify:

(i) whether the Borrowing is to be comprised of U.S. Revolving Loans or Canadian Revolving Loans and, in the case of Canadian Revolving Loans, whether such Loans are to be denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars;

(ii) the amount of the Borrowing (which shall be in an aggregate minimum principal amount of $100,000, or C$100,000, as applicable);

 

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(iii) the requested Borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) whether the Borrowing is to be comprised of LIBOR Rate Loans, Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans; and

(v) if the Borrowing is to be LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable to such Loans.

(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Revolving Lender of such Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing.

(c) Unless Administrative Agent is otherwise directed in writing by the Borrower Representative, the proceeds of each requested Borrowing after the Effective Date will be made available to the Applicable Borrower by Administrative Agent by wire transfer of such amount to the Applicable Borrower pursuant to the wire transfer instructions specified on the signature page hereto.

1.6 Conversion and Continuation Elections.

(a) The Applicable Borrower shall have the option to (i) request that any Revolving Loan be made as a LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) convert at any time all or any part of outstanding (x) Base Rate Loans (other than U.S. Swing Loans) to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Dollars or (y) Canadian Index Rate Loans (other than Canadian Swing Loans) to LIBOR Rate Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, (iii) convert any (x) LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars to a Base Rate Loan or (y) LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars to a Canadian Index Rate Loan, subject to Section 10.4 if such conversion is made prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iv) continue all or any portion of any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan upon the expiration of the applicable Interest Period. Any Loan or group of Loans having the same proposed Interest Period to be made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Rate Loan must be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000. Any such election must be made by Borrower Representative by 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the 3rd Business Day prior to (1) the date of any proposed Revolving Loan which is to bear interest at LIBOR, (2) the end of each Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans to be continued as such, or (3) the date on which the Applicable Borrower wishes to convert any Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan for an Interest Period designated by Borrower Representative in such election. If no election is received with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan by 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the 3rd Business Day prior to the end of the Interest Period with respect thereto, that LIBOR Rate Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable, at the end of its Interest Period. Borrower Representative must make such election by notice to Administrative Agent in writing, including by Electronic Transmission. In the case of any conversion or continuation, such election must be made pursuant to a written notice (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.6 or in a writing in any other form acceptable to Administrative Agent. No Loan shall be made, converted into or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan, if the conditions to Loans and Letters of Credit in Section 2.2 are not met at the time of such proposed conversion or continuation.

(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof. In addition, Administrative Agent will, with

 

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reasonable promptness, notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of each determination of LIBOR; provided, that any failure to do so shall not relieve any Borrower of any liability hereunder or provide the basis for any claim against Administrative Agent. All conversions and continuations shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans held by each Lender with respect to which the notice was given.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, after giving effect to any Borrowing, or to any continuation or conversion of any Loans, there shall not be more than seven (7) different Interest Periods in effect.

1.7 Optional Prepayments.

(a) Each Borrower may, at any time upon at least two (2) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as is acceptable to Administrative Agent) prior written notice by Borrower Representative to Administrative Agent, prepay its Revolving Loans (without a corresponding reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment) in whole or in part in an amount greater than or equal to $100,000 or C$100,000, as applicable, in each instance, without penalty or premium except as provided in Section 10.4. Optional partial prepayments of the Revolving Loans shall be applied in the manner set forth in subsection 1.8(d). Optional partial prepayments of the Revolving Loans in amounts less than $100,000 or C$100,000, as applicable, shall not be permitted.

(b) The notice of any prepayment shall not thereafter be revocable by the Applicable Borrower or Borrower Representative and Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof and of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such prepayment. The payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Together with each prepayment under this Section 1.7, the Applicable Borrower shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section 10.4.

1.8 Mandatory Prepayments of Loans.

(a) Revolving Termination Date. Each Borrower shall repay to the Lenders in full on the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of “Revolving Termination Date” the aggregate principal amount of its Revolving Loans and Swing Loans outstanding on the Revolving Termination Date.

(b) If at any time the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the then outstanding principal balance of Revolving Loans exceeds the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance, then the Applicable Borrower shall immediately prepay outstanding Revolving Loans and then cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess in accordance herewith and in a manner satisfactory to the L/C Issuers. Subject to clause 1.1(a)(ii), if at any time the then outstanding principal balance of U.S. Revolving Loans exceeds the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance, then the U.S. Borrowers shall immediately prepay outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans and then cash collateralize outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess in accordance herewith and in a manner satisfactory to the L/C Issuers. Subject to clause 1.1(a)(ii), if at any time the then outstanding principal balance of Canadian Revolving Loans exceeds the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance, then the Canadian Borrower shall immediately prepay outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans and then cash collateralize outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess in accordance herewith and in a manner satisfactory to the L/C Issuers.

 

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(c) Asset Dispositions. If a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party shall, during a Cash Dominion Period, or, if after giving effect to any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) below, a Cash Dominion Period (without giving effect to any Cash Dominion Grace Period) is triggered:

(i) make a Disposition of ABL Priority Collateral; or

(ii) suffer an Event of Loss with respect to ABL Priority Collateral;

then (A) the Borrower Representative shall promptly notify Administrative Agent of such Disposition or Event of Loss (including the amount of the estimated Net Proceeds to be received by a Credit Party and/or such Restricted Subsidiary in respect thereof) and (B) promptly upon receipt by a Borrower and/or such Restricted Subsidiary of the Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Event of Loss, the Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders as a prepayment of the Loans, which prepayment shall be applied in accordance with subsection 1.8(d). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any such prepayment pursuant to clause (ii) above shall not be required to the extent a Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary uses an amount equal to the Net Proceeds of such Event of Loss to repair or replace such ABL Priority Collateral with other assets constituting ABL Priority Collateral, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such Event of Loss; provided, that Borrower Representative notifies Administrative Agent of its intent to repair or replace such Collateral at the time such proceeds are received.

(d) Application of Prepayments. Any prepayments pursuant to Section 1.7 or subsection 1.8(b) or 1.8(c) (i) of U.S. Revolving Loans shall be applied first to prepay outstanding U.S. Swing Loans and second to prepay outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans without a permanent reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) of Canadian Revolving Loans shall be applied first to prepay outstanding Canadian Swing Loans and second to prepay outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans without a permanent reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment or the Canadian Revolving Loan Sublimit; provided, that any prepayments pursuant to subsection 1.8(c) in respect of a Disposition or Event of Loss relating to ABL Priority Collateral owned by (x) Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Canadian Subsidiary) shall be applied solely to U.S. Obligations and (y) the Canadian Borrower or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries shall be applied solely to Canadian Obligations. To the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence, amounts prepaid shall be applied first to any Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable, then outstanding and then to outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans with the shortest Interest Periods remaining. Together with each prepayment under this Section 1.8, the Applicable Borrower shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section 10.4.

(e) No Implied Consent. Provisions contained in this Section 1.8 for the application of proceeds of certain transactions shall not be deemed to constitute consent of the Lenders to transactions that are not otherwise permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents.

 

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1.9 Fees.

(a) Fee Letters. The Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for Administrative Agent’s own account, fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letters.

(b) Unused Commitment Fee. The Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender, a commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee in effect from time to time on the unused portion of such Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment (treating the Letter of Credit Obligations as usage). Such fee shall be payable monthly in arrears on the first day of the calendar month following the date hereof and the first day of each calendar month thereafter. The Applicable Unused Commitment Fee provided in this subsection 1.9(b) shall accrue at all times from and after mutual execution and delivery of this Agreement. Following receipt of the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee, Administrative Agent shall pay to each Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender with respect to any Swing Loans, and other than any Non-Funding Lender from and after the date such Lender became a Non-Funding Lender and regardless of whether such Non-Funding Lender’s Commitment has been terminated) from, and to the extent of, the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee and interest received by it on the Swing Loans an amount equal to its pro rata share of the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee calculated as if the average daily balance of Swing Loans for the preceding calendar month had been zero.

(c) Letter of Credit Fee. Each Borrower agrees to pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Lenders, as compensation to such Lenders for Letter of Credit Obligations incurred hereunder on behalf of or for the benefit of such Borrower, (i) without duplication of costs and expenses otherwise payable to Administrative Agent or Lenders hereunder or fees otherwise paid by such Borrower, any costs and expenses incurred by Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of such Letter of Credit Obligations, and (ii) for each calendar month during which any such Letter of Credit Obligation shall remain outstanding, a fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) in an amount equal to the product of the average daily undrawn face amount of all such Letters of Credit issued, guaranteed or supported by risk participation agreements multiplied by a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans; provided, however, that at Required Lenders’ option, while an Event of Default exists (or automatically while an Event of Default under subsection 7.1(a), 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) exists), such rate shall be increased by two percent (2.00%) per annum. Such fee shall be paid to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders in arrears, on the first day of each calendar month and on the date on which all Letter of Credit Obligations have been discharged. In addition, the Applicable Borrower shall pay to any L/C Issuer, on demand, its customary fees at then prevailing rates, without duplication of fees otherwise payable hereunder (including all per annum fees), charges and expenses of such L/C Issuer in respect of the issuance, negotiation, acceptance, amendment, transfer and payment of such Letter of Credit or otherwise payable pursuant to the application and related documentation under which such Letter of Credit is issued.

(d) Letter of Credit Fronting Fee. Each Borrower agrees to pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the L/C Issuers, for each calendar month during which any Letter of Credit Obligation shall remain outstanding on its behalf or for its benefit, a fee (the “Letter of Credit Fronting Fee”) in an amount equal to the product of the average daily undrawn face amount of all Letters of Credit issued, guaranteed or supported by risk participation

 

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agreements multiplied by 0.125% per annum. Such fee shall be paid to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the L/C Issuers in arrears, on the first day of each calendar month and on the date on which all Letter of Credit Obligations have been discharged.

1.10 Payments by the Borrowers.

(a) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by each Credit Party on account of principal, interest, fees and other amounts required hereunder shall be made without set off, recoupment, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be made to Administrative Agent (for the ratable account of the Persons entitled thereto) at the address for payment specified in the signature page hereof in relation to Administrative Agent (or such other address as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify in accordance with Section 9.2), including payments utilizing the ACH system, and shall be made in Dollars with respect to U.S. Obligations or Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, with respect to Canadian Obligations and by wire transfer or ACH transfer in immediately available funds (which shall be the exclusive means of payment hereunder), no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date due. Any payment which is received by Administrative Agent later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) may in Administrative Agent’s discretion be deemed to have been received on the immediately succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Each Borrower and each other Credit Party hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application during the continuance of an Event of Default of any and all payments in respect of any Obligation and any proceeds of Collateral. Each Borrower hereby authorizes Administrative Agent and each Lender to make a Revolving Loan (which shall be a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable, and which may be a Swing Loan) to pay (i) interest, principal (including Swing Loans), L/C Reimbursement Obligations, agent fees, Applicable Unused Commitment Fees and Letter of Credit Fees, payable by such Borrower, in each instance, on the date due, or (ii) after five (5) days’ prior notice to the Borrower Representative, other fees, costs or expenses payable by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.

(b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” herein, if any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as the case may be.

(c) During the continuance of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, and shall upon the direction of Required Lenders apply any and all payments received by Administrative Agent in respect of any Obligation in accordance with clauses first through eighth below. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, all amounts collected or received by Administrative Agent after any or all of the Obligations have been accelerated (so long as such acceleration has not been rescinded), including proceeds of Collateral, shall be applied as follows:

first, to payment of costs and expenses, including Attorney Costs, of Administrative Agent payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents and to all obligations owing to Agent, Swingline Lender, or L/C Issuer by any Non-Funding Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

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second, to payment of Attorney Costs of Lenders payable or reimbursable by the Borrowers under this Agreement;

third, to payment of all accrued unpaid interest on the Obligations and fees owed to Administrative Agent, Lenders and L/C Issuers;

fourth, to payment of principal of the Obligations including, without limitation, L/C Reimbursement Obligations then due and payable, any Obligations under any Noticed Secured Rate Contract and cash collateralization of unmatured L/C Reimbursement Obligations to the extent not then due and payable);

fifth, to payment of any Obligations arising under or pursuant to any Noticed Bank Products, on a pro rata basis;

sixth, to payment of any other Obligations then arising under any other Bank Products and any Secured Rate Contracts (other than any Noticed Secured Rate Contracts), on a pro rata basis;

seventh, to payment of any other amounts owing constituting Obligations; and

eighth, any remainder shall be for the account of and paid to whoever may be lawfully entitled thereto.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category and (ii) each of the Lenders or other Persons entitled to payment shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses third, fourth and seventh above. Amounts distributed with respect to any Bank Products shall be the actual amount owing under such Bank Product as calculated by the applicable Bank Product Provider and reported in writing to Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount to be distributed with respect to any Secured Rate Contract or Bank Product, but may rely upon written notice of the amount (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) from the applicable Secured Swap Provider or Bank Product Provider. In the absence of such notice, Administrative Agent may assume the amount to be distributed is the amount of such Secured Rate Contract or Bank Product last reported to it.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of subsection 1.10(c), (i) payments from the U.S. Borrowers and proceeds of any U.S. Collateral shall be applied to pay the U.S. Obligations in the order set forth in subsection 1.10(c); in the case of items first and second, to the extent of the U.S. Borrowers’ Ratable Share of such Obligations; in the case of item third, to the extent of interest and fees on the Loans and Letters of Credit advanced to, or for the account of, the U.S. Borrowers; and in the case of item fourth to the principal and cash collateralization of Loans advanced to the U.S. Borrowers and Letters of Credit for the U.S. Borrowers’ account, and thereafter, to the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower in the order set

 

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forth above and (ii) payments from the Canadian Borrower and proceeds of any Canadian Collateral shall be applied to pay the Canadian Obligations in the order set forth in subsection 1.10(c); in the case of items first and second, to the extent of the Canadian Borrower’s Ratable Share of such Obligations; in the case of item third, to the extent of interest and fees on the Loans and Letters of Credit advanced to, or for the account of, the Canadian Borrower; and in the case of item fourth to the principal and cash collateralization of Loans advanced to the Canadian Borrower and Letters of Credit for the Canadian Borrower’s account; provided, that in no event shall payments from the Canadian Borrower or proceeds of any Canadian Collateral be applied to pay the U.S. Obligations.

1.11 Payments by the Lenders to Administrative Agent; Settlement.

(a) Administrative Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, disburse funds to the Applicable Borrower for Loans requested. Each Lender shall reimburse Administrative Agent on demand for all funds disbursed on its behalf by Administrative Agent, or if Administrative Agent so requests, each Lender will remit to Administrative Agent its Commitment Percentage of any Loan before Administrative Agent disburses same to the Applicable Borrower. If Administrative Agent elects to require that each Lender make funds available to Administrative Agent prior to disbursement by Administrative Agent to the Applicable Borrower, Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender by telephone or fax of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Loan requested by the Borrower Representative no later than the Business Day prior to the scheduled Borrowing date applicable thereto, and each such Lender shall pay Administrative Agent such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such requested Loan, in same day funds, by wire transfer to Administrative Agent’s account, as set forth on Administrative Agent’s signature page hereto, no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on such scheduled Borrowing date. Nothing in this subsection 1.11(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including the remaining provisions of Section 1.11, shall be deemed to require Administrative Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrowers may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

(b) At least once each calendar week or more frequently at Administrative Agent’s election (each, a “Settlement Date”), Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender by telephone or fax of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of principal, interest and Fees paid for the benefit of Lenders with respect to each applicable Loan. Provided that each Lender has funded all payments required to be made by it and funded all purchases of participations required to be funded by it under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as of such Settlement Date, Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (as increased in accordance with the reallocation and assumption required by the second sentence of subsection 1.1(b)(vii) until such time as such Lenders have received payment in full of the Aggregate Excess Funding Amount) of principal, interest and fees paid by each Borrower since the previous Settlement Date for the benefit of such Lender on the Loans held by it. Such payments shall be made by wire transfer to such Lender not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the next Business Day following each Settlement Date. Administrative Agent shall be entitled to set off the funding shortfall against any Non-Funding Lender’s Commitment Percentage of all payments received from the Borrowers, after making payment in full of the Aggregate Excess Funding Amount to the funding Lenders thereof, and hold, in a non-interest bearing account, all remaining portions of any payments received by

 

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Administrative Agent for the benefit of any Non-Funding Lender pursuant to this Agreement as cash collateral for any unfunded reimbursement obligations of such Non-Funding Lender until the Obligations are paid in full in cash, all Letter of Credit Obligations have been discharged or cash collateralized and all Commitments have been terminated, and upon such unfunded obligations owing by a Non-Funding Lender becoming due and payable, Administrative Agent shall be authorized to use such cash collateral to make such payment on behalf of such Non-Funding Lender. Any amounts owing by a Non-Funding Lender to Administrative Agent which are not paid when due shall accrue interest at the interest rate applicable during such period to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable.

(c) Availability of Lender’s Commitment Percentage. Administrative Agent may assume that each Revolving Lender will make its Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Loan available to Administrative Agent on each Borrowing date. If such Commitment Percentage is not, in fact, paid to Administrative Agent by such Revolving Lender when due, Administrative Agent will be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. If any Revolving Lender fails to pay the amount of its Commitment Percentage forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Applicable Borrower shall immediately repay such amount to Administrative Agent. Nothing in this subsection 1.11(c) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to require Administrative Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Revolving Lender or to relieve any Revolving Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrowers may have against any Revolving Lender as a result of any default by such Revolving Lender hereunder. Without limiting the provisions of subsection 1.11(b), to the extent that Administrative Agent advances funds to any Borrower on behalf of any Revolving Lender and is not reimbursed therefor on the same Business Day as such advance is made, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to retain for its account all interest accrued on such advance from the date such advance was made until reimbursed by the applicable Revolving Lender.

(d) Return of Payments.

(i) If Administrative Agent pays an amount to a Lender under this Agreement in the belief or expectation that a related payment has been or will be received by Administrative Agent from any Borrower and such related payment is not received by Administrative Agent, then Administrative Agent will be entitled to recover such amount from such Lender on demand without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

(ii) If Administrative Agent determines at any time that any amount received by Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be returned to any Credit Party or paid to any other Person pursuant to any insolvency law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Administrative Agent will not be required to distribute any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will repay to Administrative Agent on demand any portion of such amount that Administrative Agent has distributed to such Lender, together with interest at such rate, if any, as Administrative Agent is required to pay to any Borrower or such other Person, without setoff, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, and Administrative Agent will be entitled to set-off against future distributions to such Lender any such amounts (with interest) that are not repaid on demand.

 

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(e) Non-Funding Lenders. The failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make any Revolving Loan, Letter of Credit Obligation or any payment required by it hereunder, or to fund any purchase of any participation to be made or funded by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender (each such other Revolving Lender, an “Other Lender”) of its obligations to make such loan or fund the purchase of any such participation on such date, but neither Administrative Agent nor, other than as expressly set forth herein, any Other Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any Non-Funding Lender to make a loan, fund the purchase of a participation or make any other payment required hereunder. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, a Non-Funding Lender shall not have any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document or constitute a “Lender” or a “Revolving Lender” (or be, or have its Loans and Commitments, included in the determination of “Required Lenders” or “Lenders directly affected” pursuant to Section 9.1) for any voting or consent rights under or with respect to any Loan Document; provided, that the Commitment of such Non-Funding Lender shall not be increased or extended without the consent of such Non-Funding Lender. Moreover, for the purposes of determining Required Lenders, the Loans and Commitments held by Non-Funding Lenders shall be excluded from the total Loans and Commitments outstanding.

(f) Procedures. Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by each Credit Party and each other Secured Party to establish procedures (and to amend such procedures from time to time) to facilitate administration and servicing of the Loans and other matters incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to establish procedures to make available or deliver, or to accept, notices, documents and similar items on, by posting to or submitting and/or completion on, E-Systems.

1.12 Borrower Representative. Each Borrower hereby designates and appoints Axiall as its representative and agent on its behalf (the “Borrower Representative”) for the purposes of issuing Notices of Borrowings, Notices of Conversion/Continuation, L/C Requests and Swingline Requests, delivering certificates including Compliance Certificates and Borrowing Base Certificates, giving instructions with respect to the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loans, selecting interest rate options, giving and receiving all other notices and consents hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and taking all other actions (including in respect of compliance with covenants) on behalf of any Borrower or the Borrowers under the Loan Documents. Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment. Administrative Agent and each Lender may regard any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document from Borrower Representative as a notice or communication from all Borrowers. Each warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on behalf of a Borrower by Borrower Representative shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Borrower and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Borrower.

1.13 Eligible Accounts. All of the Accounts (i) owned by each Credit Party, (ii) arising from the actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods by such Credit Party or rendition of services by such Credit Party in the ordinary course of its business which transactions are completed in accordance with the terms and provisions contained in any documents related thereto and (iii) properly reflected as “Eligible Accounts” in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by Borrower Representative to Administrative Agent shall be “Eligible Accounts” for purposes of this Agreement, except any Account to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below applies. The Co-Collateral Agents shall have the right to establish, modify or eliminate Reserves against Eligible Accounts from time to time in their Permitted Discretion. Eligible Accounts shall not include the following Accounts of a Credit Party:

(a) Past Due Accounts. Accounts that:

(i) with respect to Credit Parties who maintain invoice date agings, are over 90 days from date of invoice; or

(ii) with respect to Credit Parties who maintain due date agings, are over 60 days past due; provided, however, that all such amounts that are over 120 days from date of invoice in such agings shall be considered ineligible.

 

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(b) Cross Aged Accounts. Accounts that are the obligations of an Account Debtor if fifty percent (50%) or more of the Dollar amount of all Accounts owing by that Account Debtor are ineligible under the criteria set forth in subsection 1.13(a);

(c) Foreign Accounts. Accounts that are the obligations of an Account Debtor located in a country other than the United States or Canada unless payment thereof is assured by a letter of credit assigned and delivered to Administrative Agent, satisfactory to the Co-Collateral Agents as to form, amount and issuer, or subject to credit insurance payable to Administrative Agent issued by an insurer and on terms and in an amount acceptable to the Co-Collateral Agents;

(d) Government Accounts. Accounts that are the obligation of an Account Debtor that is the United States government or a political subdivision thereof, or any state, county or municipality or department, agency or instrumentality thereof or the Canadian government (Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada) or a political subdivision thereof, or any province or territory, or any municipality or department, agency or instrumentality thereof, unless both Co-Collateral Agents, in their Permitted Discretion, have agreed to the contrary in writing, or the applicable Credit Party has complied with respect to such obligation with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 or the Financial Administration Act (Canada), as applicable, or any applicable state, county or municipal law restricting the assignment thereof with respect to such obligation;

(e) Contra Accounts. Accounts to the extent a Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is liable for goods sold or services rendered by the applicable Account Debtor to such Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof but only to the extent of the potential offset;

(f) Chargebacks/Partial Payments/Disputed. Any Account if any defense, counterclaim, setoff or dispute is asserted as to such Account, but only to the extent of any such asserted defense, counterclaim, setoff or dispute;

(g) Inter-Company/Affiliate Accounts. Accounts that arise from a sale to any Affiliate of any Credit Party;

(h) Concentration Risk Accounts to the extent that such Account, together with all other Eligible Accounts owing by such Account Debtor and its Affiliates as of any date of determination exceed fifteen percent 15% of all Eligible Accounts;

 

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(i) Credit Risk. Accounts that are owed by Account Debtors that are not deemed credit worthy as determined by the Co-Collateral Agents in their Permitted Discretion, upon the delivery of prior or contemporaneous notice (oral or written) of such determination to the Borrower Representative;

(j) Pre-Billing. Accounts with respect to which an invoice has been sent to the applicable Account Debtor, but for which goods or services have not been shipped or provided;

(k) Un-Billed. Accounts with respect to which an invoice, reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent in form and substance, has not been sent to the applicable Account Debtor;

(l) Defaulted Accounts; Bankruptcy. Accounts where:

(i) the Account Debtor obligated upon such Account suspends business, makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or fails to pay its debts generally as they come due; or

(ii) a petition is filed by or against any Account Debtor obligated upon such Account under any bankruptcy law or any other federal, state or foreign (including any provincial) receivership, insolvency relief or other law or laws for the relief of debtors;

(m) Employee Accounts. Accounts that arise from a sale to any director, officer, other employee, or to any entity that has any common officer with any Credit Party;

(n) Progress Billing. Accounts (i) as to which a Credit Party is not able to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against the Account Debtor through judicial process, or (ii) if the Account represents a progress billing consisting of an invoice for goods sold or used or services rendered pursuant to a contract under which the Account Debtor’s obligation to pay that invoice is subject to a Credit Party’s completion of further performance under such contract or is subject to the equitable lien of a surety bond issuer;

(o) Bill and Hold. Accounts that arise with respect to goods that are delivered on a bill-and-hold basis unless the Administrative Agent shall have received an agreement in writing from the Account Debtor, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, confirming the unconditional obligation of the Account Debtor to take the goods related thereto and pay such invoice;

(p) C.O.D. Accounts that arise with respect to goods that are delivered on a cash-on-delivery basis;

(q) Credit Limit. Accounts to the extent such Account exceeds any credit limit established by the Co-Collateral Agents, in their Permitted Discretion, following prior notice of such limit by the Co-Collateral Agents to the Borrower Representative;

(r) Non-Acceptable Alternative Currency. Accounts that are payable in any currency other than Dollars or Canadian Dollars;

 

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(s) Other Liens Against Receivables. Accounts that (i) are not owned by a Credit Party or (ii) are subject to any right, claim, Lien or other interest of any other Person, other than Liens (x) in favor of Administrative Agent, securing the Obligations or (y) permitted pursuant to subsection 5.1 provided, that such Liens are subordinated to the Liens in favor of Administrative Agent on terms satisfactory to Administrative Agent or are in respect of Prior Claims not yet due and payable in respect of which the Credit Party maintains sufficient cash reserve for payment;

(t) Conditional Sale. Accounts that arise with respect to goods that are placed on consignment, guaranteed sale or other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor is conditional;

(u) Judgments, Notes or Chattel Paper. Accounts that are evidenced by a judgment, Instrument or Chattel Paper;

(v) Not Bona Fide. Accounts that are not true and correct statements of bona fide obligations incurred in the amount of such Account for merchandise sold to or services rendered and accepted by the applicable Account Debtor;

(w) Ordinary Course; Sales of Equipment or Bulk Sales. Accounts that do not arise from the sale of goods or the performance of services by a Credit Party in the Ordinary Course of Business, including, without limitation, sales of Equipment and bulk sales;

(x) Not Perfected. Accounts as to which Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, on behalf of itself and the other Secured Parties, is not a first priority perfected Lien (unless the Administrative Agent’s Liens are subject only to Prior Claims not yet due and payable in respect of which the Credit Party maintains sufficient cash reserve for payment);

(y) Volume Rebates. Accounts with respect to which a Credit Party is expected to offer such Accounts future rebates for purchases, but only to the extent of such future rebates, it being understood that the basis for this ineligible may be based upon a general ledger reserve for same established by a Credit Party;

(z) Accrued Warranties: Accounts as to which Credit Parties have identified and reserved for future warranty claims, but only to the extent of such future warranty claims, it being understood that the basis for this ineligible may be based upon a general ledger reserve for same established by a Credit Party;

(aa) [Reserved]; or

(bb) Miscellaneous. Accounts, without duplication or limitation, (i) whose collectability is doubtful in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, (ii) as to which any of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents are untrue, (iii) to the extent that a Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof owes a credit to the applicable Account Debtor, but only to the extent of such credit, and (iv) to the extent constituting reconciliations between source documents and other reported data.

1.14 Eligible Inventory. All of the Inventory owned by each Credit Party and properly reflected as “Eligible Inventory”, in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by

 

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Borrower Representative to Administrative Agent shall be “Eligible Inventory” for purposes of this Agreement, except any Inventory to which any of the exclusionary criteria set forth below or in the component definitions herein applies. The Co-Collateral Agents shall have the right to establish, modify, or eliminate Reserves against Eligible Inventory from time to time in their Permitted Discretion. Eligible Inventory shall not include the following Inventory of a Credit Party:

(a) Excess/Obsolete. Inventory that is, excess, obsolete, unsaleable, shopworn, or seconds;

(b) Damaged. Inventory that is damaged or unfit for sale;

(c) Locations < $100K. Inventory is located at any site if the aggregate book value of Inventory at any such location is less than $100,000;

(d) Consignment. Inventory that is placed on consignment unless such Inventory is subject to Co-Collateral Agents’ customary eligibility criteria for consignment Inventory (Axiall to be notified on a case by case basis) and shall be otherwise eligible;

(e) Off-Site. Inventory that (i) is not located on premises owned, leased or rented by a Credit Party and set forth in Schedule 3.21 or (ii) is stored at a leased location, unless (x) a reasonably satisfactory landlord waiver has been delivered to Administrative Agent and such Inventory is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if any, stored on such leased premises, or (y) Reserves of three months’ rent have been established with respect thereto, (iii) is stored with a bailee or warehouseman unless (x) a reasonably satisfactory, acknowledged bailee letter has been received by Administrative Agent with respect thereto and such Inventory is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if any, stored at such location and (y) Reserves of three months’ rent have been established with respect thereto, or (iv) is located at an owned or leased location subject to a mortgage (other than a mortgage subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) in favor of a lender other than Administrative Agent, unless (x) a reasonably satisfactory mortgagee waiver has been delivered to Administrative Agent or (y) Reserves of three months’ mortgage interest have been established with respect thereto;

(f) In-Transit. Inventory that is in transit (other than Inventory that is otherwise Eligible Inventory and is in transit between U.S. and/or Canada locations of the Credit Parties; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have received a collateral access agreement duly executed and delivered by the freight forwarder handling the shipping and delivery of such Inventory); provided, further, that any such Inventory en route from any such U.S. location shall be included in the U.S. Borrowing Base and any such Inventory en route from any such Canadian location shall be included in the Canadian Borrowing Base;

(g) Customized. Inventory subject to any licensing, trademark, trade name or copyright agreements with any third parties which would require any consent of any third party for the sale or disposition of that Inventory (which consent has not been obtained) or the payment of any monies to any third party upon such sale or other disposition (to the extent of such monies);

 

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(h) Packing/Shipping Materials. Inventory that consists of packing or shipping materials, or manufacturing supplies;

(i) Tooling. Inventory that consists of tooling or replacement parts;

(j) Display. Inventory that consists of display items;

(k) Returns. Inventory that consists of goods which have been returned by the buyer;

(l) Freight. Inventory identified as deferred “freight-in” costs by the Borrower on its general ledger and reflected on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate;

(m) Hazardous Materials. Inventory that consists of goods that can be transported or sold only with licenses that are not readily available; provided, that in no event shall any of the Inventory produced or stored by the Credit Parties in the Ordinary Course of Business as of the Effective Date be excluded from Eligible Inventory solely as a result of application of this clause (m), including, without limitation, chlorine, caustic, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl resins, vinyl compounds, acetone, benzene, phenol natural gas, ethylene, hydrogen, muriatic acid, ethyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, perchloethylene, trichloroethylene, calcium hypochlorite or phosgene derivatives;

(n) Un-insured. Inventory that is not covered by casualty insurance satisfying the requirements of Section 4.6;

(o) Not Owned/Other Liens. Inventory that is not owned by a Credit Party or is subject to Liens other than Permitted Liens described in subsections 5.1(b), (c), (d), (f) and (o) (provided, that such Liens permitted pursuant to subsection 5.1(o) are subordinated to the Liens in favor of Administrative Agent and are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) or rights of any other Person (including the rights of a purchaser that has made progress payments and the rights of a surety that has issued a bond to assure a Credit Party’s performance with respect to that Inventory);

(p) Unperfected. Inventory that is not subject to a first priority Lien in favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties (unless the Administrative Agent’s Liens are subject only to (i) Prior Claims not yet due and payable in respect of which the Credit Party maintains sufficient cash reserve for payment or (ii) Liens described in subsection 5.1(d) (subject to Reserves));

(q) Negotiable Bill of Sale. Inventory that is covered by a negotiable document of title, unless such document has been delivered to Administrative Agent with all necessary endorsements, free and clear of all Liens except Liens in favor of Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties; or

(r) Not Ordinary Course. Inventory (other than raw materials) that is not of a type held for sale in the Ordinary Course of Business of a Credit Party;

(s) Slow-Moving. Inventory with no activity, production or sales over a six month period, as determined and reassessed from time to time by the Credit Parties and deemed to be reasonably satisfactory to the Co-Collateral Agents;

 

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(t) Natural Gas, Oxygen and Nitrogen. Inventory that is classified as natural gas (unless otherwise deemed eligible by the Co-Collateral Agents in their Permitted Discretion following additional due diligence) oxygen or nitrogen by the Credit Parties;

(u) JV Inventory. Inventory that relates to joint ventures of Axiall or any other Credit Party;

(v) Heel Inventory. Inventory that is classified as heel Inventory to the extent not deemed to have any liquidation value in the most recent Inventory Appraisal;

(w) Shrink Reserve. Inventory that is identified as such by the Credit Parties consistent with historical practices.

(x) Miscellaneous. Inventory, without duplication or limitation, which in the commercial judgment of the Co-Collateral Agents is of questionable value or for which a reserve should be implemented including items constituting reconciliations between source documents and other reported data; or

(y) WIP. Work-In-Process inventory, including without duplication raw materials in process.

1.15 Increases and Reductions of Commitments.

(a) Axiall may at any time and from time to time, by written notice to Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver a copy thereof to each Lender) executed by Axiall and one or more financial institutions (the “Increasing Lenders”), which may include any Lender, cause new Commitments to be extended by the Increasing Lenders (or cause the Commitments of the Increasing Lenders that are already Lenders to be increased, as the case may be) in an amount for each Increasing Lender (which shall not be less than $5,000,000) set forth in such notice; provided, that (i) the new Commitments and increases in existing Commitments pursuant to this paragraph shall not be greater than $200,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement and shall not be less than $15,000,000 (or any portion of such $200,000,000 aggregate amount remaining unused) for any such increase and (ii) each Increasing Lender, if not already a Lender hereunder, shall become a party to this Agreement by completing and delivering to Administrative Agent a duly executed accession agreement in a form satisfactory to Administrative Agent and Axiall (an “Accession Agreement”). Any Incremental Facility (as defined below) shall have the same terms (including, without limitation, applicable interest rates and fees pursuant to Section 1.9), and be subject to the same Loan Documents, as the Commitments existing immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Incremental Facility. Each existing Lender shall, by notice to Axiall and Administrative Agent given not later than 10 days after the date of Administrative Agent’s notice delivered pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection, either agree to provide a portion of any Incremental Facility (as defined below), or decline to do so (and any existing Lender that does not deliver such notice within such period of 10 days shall be deemed to have declined to do so). In the event that, on the 10th day after Administrative Agent shall have delivered the notice pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph, the existing Lenders shall have agreed to provide an Incremental Facility in an aggregate amount greater than the amount requested by Axiall, allocations of the Commitments of the existing Lenders with respect to such Incremental Facility shall be allocated proportionately among such existing Lenders in accordance with the amounts of such Incremental

 

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Facility that such existing Lenders agreed to provide. In the event that, on the 10th day after Administrative Agent shall have delivered the notice pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph, the existing Lenders shall have agreed to provide an Incremental Facility in an aggregate amount less than the amount requested by Axiall, the remaining portion of such Incremental Facility may be provided by any other bank or other financial institution; provided, that Administrative Agent and each L/C Issuer that is a Lender consents to such Person becoming a Lender hereunder (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if such consent would be required under subsection 9.9(b) for an assignment of Loans to such Person. Any new Commitments and increases in Commitments shall become effective on the date specified in the applicable notices delivered pursuant to this Section 1.15 (but not prior to, for any Increasing Lender that is not already a Lender, execution and delivery by such Increasing Lender of an Accession Agreement). Upon the effectiveness of any Accession Agreement to which any Increasing Lender is a party, such Increasing Lender shall thereafter be deemed to be a party to this Agreement and shall be entitled to all rights, benefits and privileges and subject to all obligations of a Lender hereunder. Upon the effectiveness of any new Commitments or increases in existing Commitments, Schedule 1.1(a) shall be deemed to have been amended to reflect the Commitments of the Increasing Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no extension of or increase in Commitments pursuant to this paragraph shall become effective unless (A) on a pro forma basis for the initial Borrowing under any such Incremental Facility and the application of the proceeds therefrom, (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) Excess Availability shall be equal to or greater than the Threshold Amount, (B) Administrative Agent shall have received those documents reasonably satisfactory to it, and (C) on the effective date of such increase, the conditions set forth in Sections 2.2, shall be satisfied (with all references in such Sections to the making of a Loan or the incurrence of a Letter of Credit Obligation being deemed to be references to such extension of or increase in Commitments). On the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) of any extension of or increase in Commitments pursuant to this Section 1.15 (an “Incremental Facility”), (1) the aggregate principal amount of the Borrowings outstanding (the “Initial Borrowings”) immediately prior to the Commitment Increase on the Increase Effective Date shall be deemed to be paid, (2) each Increasing Lender that shall have had a Commitment prior to the Commitment Increase shall pay to Administrative Agent in same day funds an amount in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, equal to the difference between (I) the product of (x) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the Commitment Increase) multiplied by (y) the amount of each Subsequent Borrowing (as hereinafter defined) and (II) the product of (x) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (calculated without giving effect to the Commitment Increase) multiplied by (y) the amount of each Initial Borrowing, (3) each Increasing Lender that shall not have had a Commitment prior to the Commitment Increase shall pay to Administrative Agent in same day funds an amount in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, equal to the product of (I) such Increasing Lender’s Commitment Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the Commitment Increase) multiplied by (II) the amount of each Subsequent Borrowing, (4) after it receives the funds specified in clauses (2) and (3) above, Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender the portion of such funds that is equal to the difference between (I) the product of (x) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated without giving effect to the Commitment Increase) multiplied by (y) the amount of each Initial Borrowing and (II) the product of (x) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the Commitment Increase) multiplied by (y) the amount of each Subsequent Borrowing, (5) after the effectiveness of the Commitment Increase, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have made new Borrowings (the “Subsequent Borrowings”) in amounts equal to the amounts of the Initial Borrowings and of the Types and for the Interest Periods of the Initial Borrowings, (6) each Lender shall be deemed to hold its

 

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Commitment Percentage of each Subsequent Borrowing (calculated after giving effect to the Commitment Increase) and (7) the Borrowers shall pay each Lender any and all accrued but unpaid interest on its Loans comprising the Initial Borrowings. The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (1) above shall be subject to compensation by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 10.4 if the Increase Effective Date occurs other than on the last day of the Interest Period of any Initial Borrowing relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the proceeds of any Incremental Facility shall be applied in accordance with Section 4.10.

(b) Optional Termination or Reduction.

(i) The Borrowers may, upon notice to Administrative Agent, terminate or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment; provided, that (A) any such notice must be received by Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. three Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (B) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (C) simultaneously with any such reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment, the Canadian Revolving Loan Sublimit shall be automatically reduced proportionately and (D) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and any concurrent payment of any L/C Reimbursement Obligation and repayments of any Loans, (x) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance (y) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance and (z) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance.

(ii) Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment under clause (i) above. Upon any such reduction, the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees accrued on the amount of the Commitments so terminated or reduced to, but excluding, the date of any such termination or reduction shall be payable on the effective date of such termination or reduction.

ARTICLE II.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

2.1 Effectiveness of this Agreement. The amendment and restatement of the Prior Credit Agreement pursuant hereto and the obligations of the Lender to make (or be deemed to have made) its Loans and of each L/C Issuer to Issue, or cause to be Issued, Letters of Credit hereunder, in each case, is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(a) Loan Documents. The Co-Collateral Agents shall have received on or before the Effective Date (but subject to clause (h) below) all of the agreements, documents, instruments and other items set forth on the closing checklist attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(b) Transactions. Prior to or concurrently with the Effective Date, the PPG Acquisition shall have closed in the manner contemplated by the PPG Merger Agreement, as

 

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amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (it being understood that with respect to any amendments or modifications thereto that are materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, (i) the arrangers of the commitments in respect of the PPG Acquisition Financing Documents shall have otherwise consented to such amendment or modification or (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such amendment or modification, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the terms and conditions of the PPG Acquisition Financing Documents are consistent in all material respects with the commitment letter entered into in connection with same (it being understood that any variations to the terms set forth therein by the parties thereto that (i) render the Borrowers unable to satisfy the other closing conditions set forth herein or (ii) results in an increase in the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness to be incurred under the PPG Acquisition Financing Documents of 5% or more shall have been consented to by the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Term Loans have been designated as “Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations” under the Intercreditor Agreement;

(c) Approvals. Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence of all necessary consents and approvals of all Persons, including all requisite Governmental Authorities, to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the consummation of the Transactions;

(d) Payment of Fees and Expenses. The Borrowers shall have paid the fees required to be paid on the Effective Date (i) in the respective amounts specified in Section 1.9 (including the fees specified in the Fee Letters) and other compensation payable to any Agent or Arranger, and shall have reimbursed the Co-Collateral Agents for all reasonable and invoiced fees, costs and expenses of closing, if any, presented as of the Effective Date and (ii) to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders) in the amounts contemplated by Section 2.3(a);

(e) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements and other financial information referred to in Section 3.11;

(f) Material Adverse Effect. As of the Effective Date, there will have been (i) other than with respect to the PPG Entities, no Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2011 (it being acknowledged by the Lenders and Administrative Agent that the financial results of the Credit Parties reflected in Axiall’s publicly reported financial statements for the three fiscal quarter period ending September 30, 2012 (but excluding any risk factor disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” any disclosure of risks included in any “forward looking statements” disclaimer, any footnotes included therein or any other statements that are similarly non-specific or predictive or forward looking in nature, but in each case, other than any specific factual information contained therein), do not reflect any Material Adverse Effect in the financial condition of the Credit Parties taken as a whole since December 31, 2011), (ii) no Closing Date Material Adverse Effect with respect to the PPG Entities and (iii) no litigation commenced against any of the Credit Parties which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the Credit Parties taken as a whole, their business, or their ability to repay the Loans, or which would challenge the financing described herein;

(g) Flood Insurance. Subject to Section 4.17, the Co-Collateral Agents shall have received, with respect to each of the Mortgaged Properties, no later than three Business

 

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Days prior to the Effective Date, in order to comply with the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (including the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), the following documents: (i) a completed standard flood hazard determination form (a “Flood Determination Form”), (ii) if the improvement(s) to the improved Mortgaged Property is located in a special flood hazard area, a notification to Axiall (“Borrower Notice”) and (if applicable) notification to Axiall that flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program is not available because the community does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, (iii) documentation evidencing Axiall’s receipt of the Borrower Notice (e.g., countersigned Borrower Notice), and (iv) if the Borrower Notice is required to be given and flood insurance is available in the community in which the property is located, a copy of one of the following: the flood insurance policy, Axiall’s application for a flood insurance policy plus proof of premium payment, a declaration page confirming that flood insurance has been issued, or such other evidence of flood insurance satisfactory to the Co-Collateral Agents (any of the foregoing being “Evidence of Flood Insurance”); and

(h) Limitations Related to the PPG Entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is agreed that to the extent that the Borrowers have failed to satisfy the PPG Inclusion Requirements on the Effective Date, the Borrowers may (subject to sufficient U.S. Borrowing Base or Canadian Borrowing Base capacity, as applicable) borrow under this Agreement to the extent (x) the conditions set forth in Section 2.1 and/or 2.2, as applicable, have been satisfied and (y) such Borrowing is supported by the U.S. Borrowing Base or Canadian Borrowing Base, as applicable, comprised of assets of the Credit Parties (other than the PPG Entities); provided, that the Borrowers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the PPG Inclusion Requirements by the Effective Date. The U.S. Borrowing Base and Canadian Borrowing Base may be increased with respect to the assets of the PPG Entities at the time that the PPG Inclusion Requirements have been satisfied.

For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 2.1, each Lender or Co-Collateral Agent that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender or a Co-Collateral Agent unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender or Co-Collateral Agent prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

2.2 Conditions to All Borrowings. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Lender or L/C Issuer shall be obligated to fund any Loan or incur any Letter of Credit Obligation, if, as of the date thereof:

(a) any representation or warranty by any Credit Party contained herein or in any other Loan Document is untrue or incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date (in which event such representations and warranties were untrue or incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date);

(b) any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to any Loan (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligation);

 

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(c) subject to clause 1.1(a)(ii), after giving effect to any Loan (or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations), (i) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance, (ii) the aggregate outstanding amount of the U.S. Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance or (iii) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Canadian Revolving Loans would exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance;

The request by Borrower Representative and acceptance by the Applicable Borrower of the proceeds of any Loan or the incurrence of any Letter of Credit Obligations shall be deemed to constitute, as of the date thereof, (i) a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions in this Section 2.2 have been satisfied and (ii) a reaffirmation by each Credit Party of the granting and continuance of Administrative Agent’s Liens, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

2.3 Transitional Procedures. On the Effective Date:

(a) Axiall and the Canadian Borrower, as applicable, shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders, an amount equal to all accrued interest and fees payable for the account of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders under the Prior Credit Agreement on such date.

(b) Upon and subject to receipt of such funds by the Administrative Agent from Axiall and the Canadian Borrower, (i) the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Commitments and the Additional ABL Commitments shall be deemed assigned by the Prior ABL Lenders or allocated, as applicable, to the Revolving Lenders having the Revolving Loan Commitments in such proportions as may be necessary such that after giving effect thereto, the Revolving Loan Commitments of the Revolving Lenders shall be as set forth in Schedule 1.1(a), (ii) the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Loans, Prior ABL Credit Agreement Letter of Credit Exposure and the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Swingline Exposure (if any) shall be deemed assigned by the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders in such proportions as may be necessary such that after giving effect thereto (and the allocations of the Additional ABL Commitments), the Revolving Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations and amounts of participations in Swing Loans are held ratably in proportion to the Revolving Loan Commitments of the Revolving Lenders as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a), (iii) each Lender receiving an assignment pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the respective accounts of the assigning Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders, as applicable, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Prior ABL Credit Agreement Loans (and funded participations, if any, in Letters of Credit and Swing Loans) so assigned to it, and the Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received ratably to such assigning Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders, (iv) the unfunded participations in all outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Loans shall be redetermined in accordance with the Revolving Loan Commitments as if such Letters of Credit had been issued and such Swing Loans had been made on the Effective Date under this Agreement, (v) the assignments shall be effective notwithstanding any failure to comply with any related procedures set forth in the Prior ABL Credit Agreement or this Agreement, (vi) each Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lender which has no Revolving Loan Commitment shall cease to be a Lender for purposes of the Agreement; provided, that any rights of such replaced Prior ABL Credit Lender to indemnification under the terms of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement that by the express terms of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement survive shall continue to inure to its benefit and (vii) the Revolving Lenders shall be the only Lenders under this Agreement, holding all outstanding Loans, all Letter of Credit Obligations, Revolving Loan Commitments and participations in Swing Loans.

 

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(c) The Credit Parties, Lenders and the Agents agree that upon (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto and (ii) satisfaction (or waiver by the aforementioned parties) of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2, the terms and conditions of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement shall be and hereby are amended and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Prior ABL Credit Agreement and the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Obligations shall hereafter be evidenced by this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement. This Agreement is and for all purposes be deemed to be an amendment and restatement of the provisions of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement. While this Agreement will supersede the Prior ABL Credit Agreement insofar as it constitutes the entire agreement as of the date hereof between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, this Agreement merely amends and restates the Prior ABL Credit Agreement and does not constitute or result in a novation or rescission of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement, the existing Security or any other Loan Document. This amendment and restatement is limited as written and is not a consent to any other amendment, restatement or waiver, whether or not similar and, except as expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all terms and conditions of the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect unless otherwise specifically amended hereby or any other Loan Document.

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of the Credit Parties represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and each Lender that the following are, and after giving effect to the Transactions will be, true, correct and complete:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries):

(a) is a corporation, limited liability company, trust or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable;

(b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses, authorizations, Permits, consents and approvals to (i) own its assets, carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under, the Loan Documents and the Other Financing Documents to which it is a party;

(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, limited liability company, trust or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing, under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and

(d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law;

 

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except, in each case referred to in clause (b)(i), clause (c) or clause (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties of this Agreement, and by each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of any other Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not and will not:

(i) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents;

(ii) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of, or result in the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any material Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject; or

(iii) violate any Requirement of Law in any material respect.

3.3 Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party of this Agreement, or any other Loan Document except (a) for recordings and filings in connection with the Liens granted to Administrative Agent under the Collateral Documents, (b) those obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date, (c) in connection with any enforcement against any Credit Party, any permits or licenses of the Credit Parties that are not assignable or transferrable under any federal or state laws or regulations, or under the terms of any orders or decrees applicable to any Grantor, including without limitation, Title V permits, RCRA treatment, storage and disposal permits, and NPESE discharge permits, and (d) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Person which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

3.5 Litigation. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 3.5, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best knowledge of each Credit Party, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against any Credit Party, any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party or any of their respective Properties which:

(a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

(b) would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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No injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein not be consummated as herein provided.

3.6 No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party or the grant or perfection of Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral or the consummation of the Transactions. No Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with all such defaults, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.7 ERISA Compliance. Schedule 3.7 sets forth, as of the Effective Date, a complete and correct list of, and that separately identifies, (a) all Title IV Plans, (b) all Multiemployer Plans and (c) all material Benefit Plans. Each material Benefit Plan, and each trust thereunder (if any), intended to qualify for tax exempt status under Section 401 or 501(a) of the Code or other Requirements of Law has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto, and to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, nothing has occurred which would reasonably be expected to prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification or result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except for those that would not reasonably be expected to result in Liabilities in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate, (x) each material Benefit Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Requirements of Law, (y) there are no existing or pending (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal course), sanctions, actions, lawsuits or other proceedings or investigation involving any material Benefit Plan to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has or could have a material obligation or any material Liability and (z) no ERISA Event is reasonably expected to occur. On the Effective Date, no ERISA Event has occurred in connection with which obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) remain outstanding.

3.8 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. No Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is engaged in the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. Schedule 3.8 contains a description of the Credit Parties’ sources and uses of funds on the Effective Date, including Loans and Letters of Credit made or issued on the Effective Date and a funds flow memorandum detailing how funds from each source are to be transferred to particular uses.

3.9 Ownership of Property; Liens. Subject to Permitted Liens, each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has (i) good record and marketable title, in fee simple in the case of Real Estate located outside of the Province of Quebec, to, or valid leasehold interests in, all Real Estate (or, in the case of Real Estate located in Quebec, a valid lease) and (ii) good and valid title to all owned personal/movable property and valid leasehold interests (or, in the case of movable property located in Quebec, a valid contract of lease or contract of leasing) in all leased personal/movable property, in each instance, necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses, except, in each case, to the extent that failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to materially impair the value of such Real Estate. As of the Effective Date, none of the Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is subject to any Liens other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9, as of the Effective Date, all material permits required to have

 

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been issued or appropriate to enable the Real Estate to be lawfully occupied and used for all of the purposes for which it is currently occupied and used have been lawfully issued and are in full force and effect.

3.10 Taxes. All United States federal, Canadian federal and material state, foreign, provincial and local income and other material tax returns, information returns, reports and statements (collectively, the “Tax Returns”) required to be filed by any Tax Affiliate have been timely filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities, all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, and all material taxes, assessments and other governmental charges and impositions reflected therein or otherwise due and payable have been paid prior to the date on which any Liability may be added thereto for non-payment thereof except for those contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves are maintained on the books of the appropriate Tax Affiliate in accordance with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10, as of the Effective Date, no material Tax Return is under audit or examination by any Governmental Authority, and no notice of any audit or examination or any assertion of any claim for material Taxes has been given or made by any Governmental Authority. Adequate provision has been made for the payment of all accrued and unpaid federal, state, local, foreign and other material taxes whether or not due and payable and whether or not disputed.

3.11 Financial Condition.

(a) Each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of each of (A) Axiall and its Subsidiaries and (B) the PPG Entities, in each case, as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and the related audited consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year ended on December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and (ii) the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of each of (A) Axiall and its Subsidiaries and (B) the PPG Entities, in each case, as of September 30, 2012 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the nine months then ended, in each case, as attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(a):

(x) were prepared (or, in the case of the financial statements described in clauses (a)(i)(B) and (a)(ii)(B) above, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, were prepared) in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the respective periods covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, subject to, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements, normal year-end adjustments and the lack of footnote disclosures; and

(y) present fairly in all material respects (or, in the case of the financial statements described in clauses (a)(i)(B) and (a)(ii)(B) above, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, present fairly in all material respects) the consolidated financial condition of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities as of the dates thereof and results of operations for the periods covered thereby.

(b) The pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities delivered on the Effective Date and attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(b) was prepared (or, in the case of the pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the PPG Entities, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, was prepared) giving pro forma effect to the

 

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Transactions, was based on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Axiall and its Subsidiaries and the PPG Entities dated September 30, 2012 and was prepared (or, in the case of the pro forma unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the PPG Entities, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, was prepared) in accordance with GAAP, with only such adjustments thereto as would be required in a manner consistent with GAAP.

(c) Since December 31, 2011, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

(d) The Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 5.5 and have no Contingent Obligations other than Contingent Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 5.9.

(e) All financial performance projections delivered to Administrative Agent, including the financial performance projections delivered on the Effective Date and attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(e), represent the Borrowers’ good faith estimate of future financial performance and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrowers to be fair and reasonable in light of market conditions when made, it being acknowledged and agreed by Administrative Agent and Lenders that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrowers’ control, that no assurance can be given that any particular projection will be realized, and that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material.

3.12 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12, and except where any of the following would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the operations of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party are and have been for the past five (5) years in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required by any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, and no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and no Real Estate currently (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Person is subject to or the subject of, any Contractual Obligation or any pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) order, action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute or notice of violation or of potential liability or similar notice relating in any manner to any Environmental Laws, (c) no Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities has attached to any property of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist that could reasonably be expected to result in any such Lien attaching to any such property, (d) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur a Release of Hazardous Materials at, to or from any Real Estate, (e) all Real Estate currently (or to the knowledge of any Credit Party previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party is free of contamination by any Hazardous Materials except for such Release or contamination that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (f) no Credit Party and no Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) is or has been engaged in, or has permitted any current or former tenant to engage in, operations or (ii) knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions, including receipt of any information request or notice of potential responsibility under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.) or similar Environmental Laws. None of the disclosures set forth on Schedule 3.12, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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3.13 Regulated Entities. None of any Credit Party, any Person controlling any Credit Party, or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, is (a) an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) subject to or, if subject to, not exempt from, regulation under the Federal Power Act, any state public utilities code, or any other federal or state statute, rule or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness, pledge its assets or perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents.

3.14 Solvency. On the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions, the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

3.15 Labor Relations. There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts existing, pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened) against or involving any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.15, as of the Effective Date, (a) there is no collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union, labor organization, works council or similar representative covering any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (b) no petition for certification or election of any such representative is existing or pending with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (c) no such representative has sought certification or recognition with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

3.16 Intellectual Property. Schedule 3.16 sets forth a true and complete list as of the Effective Date of the following Intellectual Property each Credit Party owns, licenses or otherwise has the right to use: (i) Intellectual Property that is registered or subject to applications for registration, (ii) Internet Domain Names and (iii) material Intellectual Property and material Software, separately identifying that owned and licensed to such Credit Party and including for each of the foregoing items (1) the owner, (2) the title, (3) the jurisdiction in which such item has been registered or otherwise arises or in which an application for registration has been filed, (4) as applicable, the registration or application number and registration or application date and (5) any IP Licenses or other rights (including franchises) granted by such Credit Party with respect thereto. Each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Credit Party, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person and (b) no other Person has contested any right, title or interest of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party in, or relating to, any Intellectual Property, other than, in each case, as cannot reasonably be expected to affect the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein and would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.17 Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 and except for fees payable to Administrative Agent and Lenders, none of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finder’s, broker’s or investment banker’s fee in connection with this Agreement.

 

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3.18 Insurance. Schedule 3.18 lists all liability, property and business interruption insurance policies and all other material insurance policies maintained, as of the Effective Date, for current occurrences by each Credit Party, including issuers, coverages and deductibles. Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective Properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrowers, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar Properties in localities where such Person operates.

3.19 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock. All issued and outstanding Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries held by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary are duly authorized and validly issued and free and clear of all Liens other than those in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties and Liens permitted pursuant to subsection 5.1(o). All such securities were issued in compliance with all applicable state, provincial and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities. As of the Effective Date, all of the issued and outstanding Stock of each Credit Party (other than Axiall) and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party is owned by each of the Persons and in the amounts set forth in Schedule 3.19. Set forth in Schedule 3.19 is a true and complete organizational chart of the Borrowers and all of their respective Subsidiaries, which the Credit Parties shall update upon Administrative Agent’s reasonable request following the completion of any Permitted Acquisition.

3.20 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office. Schedule 3.20 lists each Credit Party’s jurisdiction of organization, legal name (including without limitation any French name) and organizational identification number, if any, and the location of such Credit Party’s chief executive office or sole place of business, in each case as of the Effective Date, and such Schedule 3.20 also lists all jurisdictions of organization and legal names of such Credit Party for the five years preceding the Effective Date.

3.21 Locations of Inventory, Equipment and Books and Records. Each Credit Party’s inventory and equipment (other than inventory or equipment in transit) and books and records concerning the Collateral are kept at the locations listed in Schedule 3.21 (which Schedule 3.21 shall be promptly updated by the Credit Parties upon notice to Administrative Agent as permanent Collateral locations change). Each Credit Party that keeps records in the Province of Quebec relating to Collateral keeps a duplicate copy thereof at a location outside of the Province of Quebec, as designated on Schedule 3.21.

3.22 Deposit Accounts and Other Accounts. Schedule 3.22 lists all banks and other financial institutions at which any Credit Party maintains deposit or other accounts as of the Effective Date, and such Schedule 3.22 correctly identifies the name, address and telephone number of each depository, the name in which the account is held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number therefor.

3.23 Government Contracts. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.23, as of the Effective Date, no Credit Party is a party to any contract or agreement with any Governmental Authority and no Credit Party’s Accounts are subject to the Federal Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Section 3727), the Financial Administration Act (Canada) or any similar state, provincial or local law.

 

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3.24 [Reserved].

3.25 Bonding; Licenses. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.25, as of the Effective Date, no Credit Party is a party to or bound by any surety bond agreement, indemnification agreement therefor or bonding requirement with respect to products or services sold by it.

3.26 Other Financing Documents. As of the Effective Date, the Borrowers have delivered to Administrative Agent a complete and correct copy of the PPG Acquisition Financing Documents (including all amendments, supplements and modifications delivered in connection therewith).

3.27 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the Loan Documents as of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the statements contained in each exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the Loan Documents (including the offering and disclosure materials, if any, delivered by or on behalf of any Credit Party to Administrative Agent or the Lenders prior to the Effective Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading in any material respect as of the time when made or delivered.

3.28 Foreign Assets Control Regulations and Anti-Money Laundering. Each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of a Credit Party is and will remain in compliance in all material respects with all U.S. economic sanctions laws, Executive Orders and implementing regulations as promulgated by OFAC, and all applicable anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and all regulations issued pursuant to it. No Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party is in violation of any of the country or list-based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC. No Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has any of its assets located in Sanctioned Entities or (c) derives any revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities. No Borrower has used, and no Borrower will use, the proceeds of any extension of credit hereunder to fund any operation in, finance any investments or activities in, or make payments to, a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Entity.

3.29 Patriot Act. The Credit Parties and each of their Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, (b) the Patriot Act and (c) other federal or state laws relating to “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used directly or indirectly for any payments to any government official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

 

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3.30 Canadian Plans. As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.30 lists all Canadian Pension Plans and all material Canadian Benefit Plans currently maintained or contributed to by Borrower. The Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under the Income Tax Act and all other applicable laws which require registration. Each Credit Party, as applicable, has complied with and performed all of its obligations under and in respect of the Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans under the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws. All employer and employee payments, contributions or premiums to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan have been paid in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreement and all applicable laws. To the knowledge of the Canadian Borrower (after reasonable inquiry), there have been no improper withdrawals or applications of the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30, there are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.30, each of the Canadian Pension Plans is fully funded on a solvency basis (as set out in the most recent actuarial valuation filed with the applicable Governmental Authority or, if none has been filed within the preceding 15 months, the most recent actuarial valuation prepared in an manner consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles). To the knowledge of the Canadian Borrower (after reasonable inquiry), no event has occurred respecting any Canadian Pension Plan which would entitle any Person or Governmental Authority (without the consent of the Corporation) to wind-up or terminate that Canadian Pension Plan, in whole or in part. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.30, no Canadian Pension Plan has been partially wound-up or terminated in the past.

ARTICLE IV.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

4.1 Financial Statements. Each Credit Party shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP (provided, that monthly financial statements shall not be required to have footnote disclosures and are subject to normal year-end adjustments). The Borrowers shall deliver to Administrative Agent and each Lender by Electronic Transmission and in detail reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) as soon as available, but not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the audited consolidated and segmented balance sheets of Axiall and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and segmented statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by the report of any “Big Four” or other nationally recognized independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent which report shall (i) contain an unqualified opinion, stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years and (ii) not include any explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status or exception as to scope of audit;

 

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(b) as soon as available, but not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter a copy of the unaudited consolidated and segmented balance sheets of Axiall and its consolidated Subsidiaries, and the related consolidated and segmented statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all certified on behalf of the Borrowers by an appropriate Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative as being complete and correct in all material respects and fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial position and the results of operations of Axiall and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures;

(c) as soon as available, but not later than thirty (30) days after the end of the first two fiscal months of each Fiscal Quarter, a copy of the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Axiall and its consolidated Subsidiaries, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of such fiscal month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all certified on behalf of the Borrowers by an appropriate Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative as being complete and correct in all material respects and fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial position and the results of operations of Axiall and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures; and

(d) if applicable, simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a), (b) and (c) above, the related consolidating financial statements (which may be in footnote form) reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements.

All requirements to deliver segmented balance sheets referred to in this Section 4.1 shall be satisfied by the delivery of such balance sheets as currently reported in public disclosure documents.

4.2 Appraisals; Certificates; Other Information. The Borrowers shall furnish to Administrative Agent and each Lender by Electronic Transmission:

(a) together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to subsections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b), (i) a management discussion and analysis report, in reasonable detail, signed by the chief financial officer of Axiall, describing the operations and financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries for the fiscal month or Fiscal Quarter, as applicable, and the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended (or for the Fiscal Year then ended in the case of annual financial statements), and (ii) a report setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the most recent projections for the current Fiscal Year delivered pursuant to subsection 4.2(k) and discussing the reasons for any significant variations;

(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections 4.1(a), 4.1(b) and 4.1(c) above, a fully and properly completed Compliance Certificate certified on behalf of the Borrowers by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative;

 

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(c) promptly after the same are sent, copies of all financial statements and reports which Axiall sends to its shareholders generally, and promptly after the same are filed, copies of all material reports and registration statements which Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes to, or files with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor;

(d) as soon as available and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, and at such other times as Administrative Agent may reasonably require if a Cash Dominion Period has occurred and is continuing, a Borrowing Base Certificate, certified on behalf of each Borrower by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative, setting forth the U.S. Borrowing Base and the Canadian Borrowing Base as at the end of the most-recently ended fiscal month or as at such other date as the Co-Collateral Agents may reasonably require;

(e) concurrently with the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, a summary of Inventory by location and type (including a breakout of Inventory that is not Eligible Inventory) with a supporting perpetual Inventory report, in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion;

(f) concurrently with the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, a monthly trial balance showing Accounts outstanding aged from invoice date as follows: 1 to 30 days, 31 to 60 days, 61 to 90 days and 91 days or more (including a breakout of Accounts that are not Eligible Accounts), accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion;

(g) concurrently with the delivery of the Borrowing Base Certificate, an aging of accounts payable accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion;

(h) on a monthly basis and at such other times as the Co-Collateral Agents may reasonably require if a Cash Dominion Period has occurred and is continuing (together with a copy of all or any part of such delivery requested by any Lender in writing after the Effective Date), collateral reports, including all additions and reductions (cash and non-cash) with respect to Accounts of the Credit Parties in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion each of which shall be prepared by the Borrower Representative as of the last day of the immediately preceding month or the date 2 Business Days prior to the date of any request;

(i) to the Co-Collateral Agents, at the time of delivery of each of the monthly financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1(c);

(i) a reconciliation of the most recent Borrowing Bases, general ledger and month-end Inventory reports of each Borrower to such Borrower’s general ledger and monthly financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1(c), in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion;

(ii) a reconciliation of (i) the perpetual inventory by location and (ii) the accounts payable aging to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate general

 

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ledger and monthly Financial Statements delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1(c), in each case, in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion; and

(iii) a reconciliation of the outstanding Loans as set forth in the monthly loan account statement provided by Administrative Agent to each Borrower’s general ledger and monthly Financial Statements delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1(c), in each case accompanied by such supporting detail and documentation as shall be requested by Co-Collateral Agents in their reasonable discretion;

(j) at the time of delivery of each of the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.1, (i) a listing of government contracts of each Borrower subject to the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 or the Financial Administration Act (Canada) or any similar state or municipal law; and (ii) a list of any applications for the registration of any material Patent, material Trademark or material Copyright filed by any Credit Party with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in each case entered into or filed in since the previous delivery of financial statements;

(k) as soon as available following the end of each Fiscal Year, but not later than the last day of February of each year, projections of the Credit Parties’ (and their Subsidiaries’) consolidated and segmented (as currently reported in public disclosure documents) financial performance for such Fiscal Year on a month by month basis;

(l) promptly upon receipt thereof, final copies of any material reports submitted by the independent registered public accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or internal control systems of any Credit Party made by such accountants, including any comment letters submitted by such accountants to management of any Credit Party in connection with their services;

(m) upon the Co-Collateral Agents’ request from time to time, the Credit Parties shall permit and enable the Co-Collateral Agents to obtain appraisals in form and substance and from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Co-Collateral Agents stating the then Net Orderly Liquidation Value, or such other value as determined by the Co-Collateral Agents, of all or any portion of the Inventory of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party; provided, that notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, (i) the Credit Parties shall only be obligated to reimburse the Co-Collateral Agents for the expenses of such appraisals occurring twice per any period of 12 consecutive months, (ii) if Excess Availability is less than the Threshold Amount for any period of 10 consecutive days, the Co-Collateral Agents shall be permitted to request, and the Credit Parties shall be required to bear the cost of, three such appraisals in any 12 consecutive month period, (iii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, there shall be no limit on the number of appraisals which may be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents or the Required Lenders, and the Borrowers shall be required to bear the cost of all such appraisals and (iv) the Co-Collateral Agents shall be permitted to request appraisals in addition to those provided for in clauses (i)-(iii) above, provided, that the Co-Collateral Agents shall be required to bear the costs of any such additional appraisals;

 

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(n) promptly, such additional business, financial, corporate affairs, perfection certificates and other information as Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request;

(o) (i) concurrently with the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, (ii) on a weekly basis (A) during a Cash Dominion Period or (B) if at any time the aggregate Swap Termination Value of all Noticed Secured Rate Contracts is greater than $10,000,000, and (iii) at such other times as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, a statement of the Swap Termination Value of all Noticed Secured Rate Contracts;

(p) to the extent that the Borrowers are incurring any Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations in reliance on Section 5.5(h)(ii), at least ten Business Days prior to such incurrence, a certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative demonstrating that both before and after giving effect to such incurrence, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence); and

(q) at least ten Business Days prior to making any Ethylene Cracker Investment or direct or indirect Investment in TCI, a certificate, in reasonable detail, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative detailing the amount, date, proposed timing and source of funds for such Investment and demonstrating compliance with the tests set forth in Sections 5.4(r), 5.5(n) and 5.9(j), as applicable.

Information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(a) and (b) and 4.2(c) shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual, quarterly or other reports containing such information, shall have been posted on Axiall’s website on the internet (on the Effective Date, http://www.ggc.com) or by Electronic Transmission or shall be available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov; provided, that Axiall shall (i) promptly notify Administrative Agent of any such postings and (ii) deliver paper copies of such information to Administrative Agent or any Lender that reasonably requests such delivery.

4.3 Notices. The Borrowers shall notify promptly Administrative Agent of each of the following (and in no event later than (i) three (3) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware thereof in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (g) below or (ii) ten (10) Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware thereof in all other cases):

(a) the occurrence or existence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) any breach or non-performance of, or any default under, any Contractual Obligation of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, or any violation of, or non-compliance with, any Requirement of Law, which, in either case, would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect, including a description of such breach, non-performance, default, violation or non-compliance and the steps, if any, such Person has taken, is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof;

 

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(c) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time between any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority which would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in Liabilities in excess of $30,000,000 (other than any such dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which would not reasonably be expected to result individually in Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000);

(d) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) which would reasonably be expected to result in Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency or currencies) or more, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought and which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) in which the relief sought is an injunction or other stay of the performance of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Other Financing Document;

(e) (i) the receipt by any Credit Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability or similar notice under Environmental Law if such notice relates to a violation of or potential liability under Environmental Law that would reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 for any such violation or potential liability, individually, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one fiscal year, (ii)(A) unpermitted Releases, (B) the existence of any condition that could reasonably be expected to result in violations of or Liabilities under, any Environmental Law or (C) the commencement of, or any material change to, any action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute alleging a violation of or Liability under any Environmental Law which in the case of clauses (A), (B) or (C) would reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 for any individual occurrence, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one fiscal year (iii) the receipt by any Credit Party of notification that any property of any Credit Party is subject to any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities and (iv) any proposed acquisition or lease of Real Estate (other than in connection with the Transactions), if such acquisition or lease would have a reasonable likelihood of resulting in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 individually, or in excess of $30,000,000 over any one fiscal year;

(f) promptly after any officer of any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that an ERISA Event will or has occurred, a notice describing such ERISA Event, and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notices received from or filed with the PBGC, IRS, Multiemployer Plan or other Benefit Plan pertaining thereto;

(g) any Material Adverse Effect subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to this Agreement;

(h) any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party;

(i) any labor controversy resulting in or threatening to result in any strike, work stoppage, boycott, shutdown or other labor disruption against or involving any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party if the same would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(j) the creation, establishment or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary or the issuance by or to any Credit Party of any Stock or Stock Equivalent (other than issuances by Axiall of Stock or Stock Equivalent not requiring a mandatory prepayment hereunder);

(k) (i) the creation, or filing with the IRS or any other Governmental Authority, of any Contractual Obligation or other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the period for assessment or collection of any income or other material taxes with respect to any Tax Affiliate and (ii) the creation of any Contractual Obligation of any Tax Affiliate, or the receipt of any request directed to any Tax Affiliate, to make any material adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code, by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise; and

(l) Any change in the credit rating of any Credit Party or any failure to satisfy the Ratings Requirement.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be in electronic form accompanied by a statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein, and stating what action the Borrowers or other Person proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under subsection 4.3(a) shall describe with particularity any and all clauses or provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been breached or violated.

4.4 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, except in connection with transactions permitted by Section 5.3;

(b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business except in connection with transactions permitted by Section 5.3 and sales of assets permitted by Section 5.2 and except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) preserve or renew all of its registered trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non preservation of which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Maintenance of Property. Each Credit Party shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, and preserve all its Property which is used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and shall make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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4.6 Insurance.

(a) Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain with insurance companies that the Borrowers believe (in the good faith judgment of their management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, and will furnish to the Lenders, upon reasonable written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Each such policy of insurance shall, (i) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and/or (ii) in the case of each applicable property and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as the loss payee thereunder.

(b) Unless the Credit Parties provide Administrative Agent with evidence of the insurance coverage required by this Agreement, at any time during a Cash Dominion Period, Administrative Agent may purchase insurance at the Credit Parties’ expense to protect Administrative Agent’s and Lenders’ interests in the Credit Parties’ and their Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties. This insurance may, but need not, protect the Credit Parties’ and their Restricted Subsidiaries’ interests. The coverage that Administrative Agent purchases may not pay any claim that any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party makes or any claim that is made against such Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with said Property. The Borrowers may later cancel any insurance purchased by Administrative Agent, but only after providing Administrative Agent with evidence that there has been obtained insurance as required by this Agreement. If Administrative Agent purchases insurance, the Credit Parties will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and any other charges Administrative Agent may impose in connection with the placement of insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance shall be added to the Obligations. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance the Borrowers may be able to obtain on their own.

4.7 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge all United States federal, Canadian federal, state and provincial taxes and all other material taxes, assessments and other similar governmental charges or levies imposed upon or against it or its properties or assets, except for (and to the extent of) taxes, assessments and governmental charges the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued which stay the filing or enforcement of any Lien, as the case may be, and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside on its books to the extent required by GAAP.

4.8 Compliance with Laws. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all Requirements of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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4.9 Inspection of Property and Books and Records. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP in all material respects, and will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep adequate records and books of account in which complete and correct entries in all material respects will be made in accordance with such accounting principles consistently applied and reflecting all transactions required to be reflected by such accounting principles. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, with respect to each owned, leased, or controlled property, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice (unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which event no notice shall be required and the Co-Collateral Agents shall have access at any and all times during the continuance thereof): (a) provide access to such property to the Co-Collateral Agents and any of their Related Persons (subject to accountants’ customary policies and procedures), as frequently as the Co-Collateral Agents determine to be appropriate, upon reasonably advance notice to the Borrowers, for the purposes of inspecting, verifying and auditing the Collateral and all of each Credit Party’s books and records (including making extracts and copies thereof); and (b) permit the Co-Collateral Agents and any of their Related Persons to conduct field examinations; provided, that (i) the Co-Collateral Agents shall not exercise such rights more often than two (2) times during any calendar year and only one (1) such time shall be at the Borrowers’ expense and (ii) if Excess Availability is less than 20% of the then existing Revolving Loan Commitments for a period of three consecutive Business Days, the Co-Collateral Agents shall be permitted to request, and the Credit Parties shall be required to bear the cost of, two such field examinations in any calendar year; provided, further, that, notwithstanding any of the foregoing, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, there shall be no limit on the number of inspections or field examinations which may be requested by the Co-Collateral Agents or the Required Lenders, and the Borrowers shall be required to bear the cost of all such inspections and field examinations. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Lender may accompany the Co-Collateral Agents or their Related Persons in connection with any inspection at such Lender’s expense.

4.10 Use of Proceeds. The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely as follows: (a) to pay costs and expenses of the Transactions and costs and expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.1, and all professional fees, investment banking fees, and other fees and expenses incurred by the Credit Parties in connection with any of the foregoing or the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and (b) for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Requirement of Law and not in violation of this Agreement.

4.11 Cash Management Systems.

(a) On the Effective Date (and, solely with respect to (i) the PPG Entities, on or before the date that is ninety (90) days after the Effective Date and (ii) any Canadian bank accounts with Royal Bank of Canada, on or before the date that is sixty (60) days after the Effective Date, or, in each case, such later date as the Co-Collateral Agents shall agree in their sole discretion), each Credit Party shall enter into, and cause each depository, securities intermediary or commodities intermediary to enter into, Control Agreements providing for “springing” cash dominion (including, without limitation, providing for “control” thereover as such term is defined in the Securities Transfer Act (2006) (Ontario) in respect of Canadian Collateral) with respect to each deposit, securities, commodity or similar account maintained by such Person (other than any Excluded Account) as of the Effective Date; provided, that if a Cash

 

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Dominion Period occurs within such 60-day or 90-day period, as applicable, the Credit Parties will use their best efforts to obtain the Control Agreements required above. The Credit Parties shall not, directly or indirectly, after the Effective Date, open, establish or maintain any deposit, securities, commodity or similar account (other than an Excluded Account) unless on or before the opening of such account, such Credit Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Control Agreement with respect to such account. In addition, at Administrative Agent’s request, Credit Parties will enter into Control Agreements providing for springing cash dominion over disbursement accounts as of the Effective Date, except as set forth in the preceding sentence. With respect to accounts subject to “springing” Control Agreements or such “control”, Administrative Agent may deliver to the relevant depository, securities intermediary or commodities intermediary a notice or other instruction which provides for exclusive control over such account by Administrative Agent only during a Cash Dominion Period. The Credit Parties shall not maintain cash on deposit in disbursement accounts in excess of outstanding checks and wire transfers payable from such accounts and amounts necessary to meet minimum balance requirements.

(b) The Borrower Representative may from time to time provide a written request to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Administrative Agent permit the withdrawal of a requested amount of Qualified Cash from any Qualified Cash Securities Account and, within two (2) Business Days of such written request, the Administrative Agent shall permit (or, if the relevant Qualified Cash Securities Account is not held with the Administrative Agent, shall instruct the relevant depositary bank or securities intermediary to so permit) the withdrawal of the requested amount of Qualified Cash in accordance with the written instructions of the Borrower Representative so long as (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such withdrawal of the requested amount of Qualified Cash in accordance with such written instructions of the Borrower Representative, (ii) after giving effect to such withdrawal, (A) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance, (B) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance and (C) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Canadian Revolving Loans shall not exceed the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance (it being agreed that, immediately upon such withdrawal, without any further act of any Person, the U.S. Borrowing Base or the Canadian Borrowing Base, as applicable, shall be calculated excluding the amount of Qualified Cash so withdrawn), and (iii) the Borrower Representative shall have provided an update to the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.2(d) reflecting the result of such withdrawal on the calculation of the U.S. Borrowing Base or the Canadian Borrowing Base, as applicable.

4.12 Landlord Agreements. Each Credit Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a landlord agreement or bailee waivers, as applicable, from the lessor of each leased property where any Collateral with an aggregate book value of more than $750,000 is stored or located, or bailee in possession of any Collateral with an aggregate book value of more than $750,000, which agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent. The Lenders and the Agent acknowledge and agree that “commercially reasonable efforts” shall not include any obligation of any Credit Party to cause the issuance of any letter of credit for the benefit of any such lessor or bailee as a condition to obtaining such landlord agreement or bailee waiver.

 

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4.13 Further Assurances.

(a) Each Credit Party shall ensure that all written information, exhibits and reports furnished to Administrative Agent or the Lenders do not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and do not and will not omit to state any material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in any material respect in light of the circumstances in which made, and will promptly disclose to Administrative Agent and the Lenders and correct any defect or error that may be discovered therein or in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof.

(b) Promptly upon request by Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties shall (and, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to) take such additional actions and execute such documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order (i) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) to subject to the Liens created by any of the Collateral Documents in any of the Properties, rights or interests covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) to perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and the Liens intended to be created thereby, and (iv) to better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Co-Collateral Agents, Axiall shall cause each of its U.S. Subsidiaries that are not Immaterial Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries to guaranty the U.S. Obligations, shall cause each such U.S. Subsidiary to grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, all of such U.S. Subsidiary’s Property to secure such guaranty. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by the Co-Collateral Agents and unless not required under the applicable Collateral Document, Axiall shall, and shall cause each of its U.S. Subsidiaries that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary to, pledge all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of its U.S. Subsidiaries that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary (other than U.S. Subsidiaries owned indirectly through a Foreign Subsidiary) and First Tier Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Immaterial Subsidiaries (provided, that with respect to (i) any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) any U.S. Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of (a) Stock or Stock Equivalents in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (b) assets which are directly related to (and exist only to the extent necessary for) its corporate existence and its ownership of such Stock or Stock Equivalents, such pledge shall be limited to sixty-five percent (65%) of such Foreign Subsidiary’s or such U.S. Subsidiary’s, as the case may be, outstanding voting Stock and Stock Equivalents and one hundred percent (100%) of such Foreign Subsidiary’s or such U.S. Subsidiary’s, as the case may be, outstanding non-voting Stock and Stock Equivalents) in each instance, to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the U.S. Obligations. In the event Axiall or any of its U.S. Subsidiaries acquires fee title to any Real Estate with a fair market value in excess of (x) $15,000,000 individually or (y) $30,000,000 in the aggregate with respect to all such Real Estate with a fair market value less than $15,000,000, in each case, after the Effective Date, within thirty (30) days following such acquisition, such Person shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to Administrative Agent, (v) an appraisal complying with FIRREA, (w) within forty-five (45) days of receipt of notice from Administrative Agent that Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Flood Insurance as required by subsection 4.6(a), (x) a fully executed Mortgage, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent together with an A.L.T.A. lender’s title insurance policy issued by a title insurer reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, in form and substance and in an amount reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent insuring that the Mortgage is a valid and

 

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enforceable Lien) on the respective property, free and clear of all defects, encumbrances and Liens other than Permitted Liens (provided that in jurisdictions that impose mortgage, documentary stamp or other taxes upon the recording of a Mortgage, such Mortgages shall not secure indebtedness in an amount exceeding 100% of the fair market value of such Real Estate), (y) then current A.L.T.A. surveys, certified to Administrative Agent by a licensed surveyor sufficient to allow the issuer of the lender’s title insurance policy to issue such policy without a survey exception and (z) upon Administrative Agent’s request, an environmental site assessment prepared by a qualified firm reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. In addition to the obligations set forth in subsections 4.6(a) and 4.13(b)(w), within forty-five (45) days after written notice from Administrative Agent to Credit Parties that any Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Credit Parties shall satisfy the Flood Insurance requirements of subsection 4.6(a). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, Axiall shall, and shall cause each of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Canadian Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to, guaranty the Canadian Obligations and grant to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, substantially all of such Person’s Property (other than any Real Estate owned by Canadian Subsidiaries) to secure such guaranty. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, Axiall shall, and shall cause each of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Canadian Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries and or Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to, pledge all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the Canadian Obligations. In connection with each pledge of Stock and Stock Equivalents, Axiall and each of its U.S. Subsidiaries and Canadian Subsidiaries, as applicable, shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Administrative Agent, irrevocable proxies and stock powers and/or assignments, as applicable, duly executed in blank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, for so long as the Secured Notes, Term Loans or any Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations or any Permitted Refinancings thereof or any other Indebtedness secured by mortgages or other security instruments to which the Mortgages have been subordinated are outstanding, the Credit Parties shall only be required to grant Mortgages, deliver title insurance, surveys and/or environmental assessments to the extent required under the Secured Note Documents, Term Loan Documents or any documentation governing any Pari Passu Lien Obligations or such Permitted Refinancings or other Indebtedness, as applicable.

(c) Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause any of its Subsidiaries to, take such actions as are necessary to ensure that if any Subsidiary that is an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Subsidiary shall promptly guarantee, and pledge its assets to Administrative Agent as collateral for, the U.S. Obligations and/or Canadian Obligations, as applicable, in the manner and to the extent required by subsection 4.13(b) above.

4.14 Environmental Matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Credit Party to, comply in all material respects with, and maintain its Real Estate, whether owned, leased, subleased or otherwise operated or occupied, in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws (including by implementing any Remedial Action necessary to achieve such compliance) or that is required by orders and directives of any Governmental Authority except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a

 

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Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Credit Party to, comply with Environmental Laws applicable to Hazardous Materials, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

4.15 Canadian Pension Plans and Benefit Plans.

(a) [Reserved].

(b) All employer or employee payments, contributions or premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan shall be paid or remitted by each Credit Party in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws.

(c) Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent (i) if requested by Administrative Agent, copies of each annual and other return, report or valuation with respect to each Canadian Pension Plan as filed with any applicable Governmental Authority; (ii) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that any Credit Party may receive from any applicable Governmental Authority with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan; and (iii) notification within 30 days of any increases having a cost to one or more of the Credit Parties in excess of $100,000 per annum in the aggregate, in the benefits of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the commencement of contributions to any such plan to which any Credit Party was not previously contributing.

4.16 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The board of directors of Axiall may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) after giving effect to such designation, the Borrowers shall be in pro forma compliance with Section 6.1 (whether or not then applicable), (iii) no Borrower may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iv) no subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Term Loan Agreement, Secured Notes, or the 2013 Indenture (or any agreements governing any Permitted Refinancings thereof), (v) as of the date of the designation thereof, no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall own any Stock in Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries or hold any Indebtedness of, or any Lien on any property of Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (vi) the holder of any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not have any recourse to Axiall or its Subsidiaries with respect to such Indebtedness; provided, that this clause (vi) shall not apply to the extent that (x) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility and (y) any Liens granted in connection with any credit support or guarantee provided by Axiall or its Subsidiaries in connection therewith are permitted under Section 5.1. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by Axiall therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value as determined by Axiall in good faith of Axiall’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein; provided, that upon a redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary, Axiall shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent Investment in a Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) Axiall’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, less (b) the portion (proportionate to Axiall’s equity

 

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interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Unrestricted Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by Axiall in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value as determined by Axiall in good faith at the date of such designation of Axiall’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary. Any designation of a Subsidiary of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by delivering to the Administrative Agent a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of Axiall giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement and any Indebtedness of and Investments by such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under this Agreement, the Borrowers will be in default of such covenants.

4.17 Post-Closing Matters. To the extent not delivered to Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agents, as applicable, on or before the Effective Date, each Borrower agrees to, and to cause each of its respective Restricted Subsidiaries to (a) deliver each of the items set forth on Schedule 4.17 within the time periods and in the manner specified on such schedule, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agents, as applicable and (b) otherwise comply with the requirements set forth on Schedule 4.17.

ARTICLE V.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

5.1 Limitation on Liens. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following (“Permitted Liens”):

(a) any Lien existing on the Property of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 5.1 securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 5.5(c), including replacement Liens on the Property currently subject to such Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 5.5(c);

(b) any Lien created under any Loan Document;

(c) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges (i) which are not past due or remain payable without penalty, or (ii) the non-payment of which is permitted by Section 4.7;

 

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(d) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other similar Liens which are not past due or remain payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently prosecuted, which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Property subject thereto and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained;

(e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges or deposits required in the Ordinary Course of Business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeals bonds, bids, leases, governmental contract, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(f) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens (other than for payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.1(h);

(g) easements, rights of way, zoning and other restrictions, minor defects or other irregularities in title, and other similar encumbrances incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business which, either individually or in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party;

(h) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under subsections 5.5(d) and 5.5(m); provided, that (A) such Liens attach concurrently with or within one hundred and eighty (180) days after completion of the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens, (B) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements thereof and additions and accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits and (C) such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for additions and accessions to such assets, replacements and products thereof and customary security deposits) other than the assets subject to, or acquired, constructed, repaired, replaced or improved with the proceeds of such Indebtedness; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(i) [Reserved];

(j) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease permitted by this Agreement;

(k) licenses and sublicenses granted by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party and leases or subleases (by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party as lessor or sublessor) to third parties in the Ordinary Course of Business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(l) Liens in favor of collecting banks arising by operation of law under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code or, with respect to collecting banks located in the State of New York, under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code;

(m) Liens (including the right of set-off) in favor of a bank or other depository institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits;

(n) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 5.5(g) assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; provided, that (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition or such Person becoming a Credit Party (or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party), (ii) such Lien does not extend to any assets other than those of the Target of such Permitted Acquisition and (iii) such Lien shall be created no later than the later of the date of such Permitted Acquisition or the date of the assumption of such Indebtedness;

(o) Liens securing Indebtedness with respect to any Secured Notes, Term Loans or Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations, and any Permitted Refinancings thereof, in each case, to the extent permitted by subsection 5.5(h) of this Agreement and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

(p) in the case of property of a Canadian Credit Party with respect to unregistered Prior Claims for items not yet due and payable;

(q) the reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions expressed in any original grants from the Crown of real or immovable property, which do not materially interfere with (i) the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person or (ii) the use and enjoyment of such real or immovable property;

(r) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by a Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(s) 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;

(t) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution; provided, that (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depositary institution; and

(u) Liens on property (other than ABL Priority Collateral unless the Liens thereon are subordinated to the Liens of the Administrative Agent on the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) securing Indebtedness and other obligations of a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party if such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 5.5(o).

 

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5.2 Disposition of Assets. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any Property (including the Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether in a public or a private offering or otherwise, and accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse), except:

(a) dispositions to any Person other than an Affiliate of a Credit Party of (i) inventory, or (ii) worn out, obsolete or surplus equipment in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b) Dispositions of inventory and goods held for sale in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(c) transactions permitted under Section 5.1(k);

(d) dispositions of assets (other than ABL Priority Collateral) pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000; provided, that no Default or Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom;

(e) (i) dispositions of those assets set forth in Schedule 5.2; provided, that no Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom and (ii) any Aromatics Asset Sale or Building Products Division Asset Sale; provided, that the proceeds of any Disposition of any ABL Priority Collateral related to such Aromatics Asset Sale or Building Products Division Asset Sale shall be subject to the provisions of subsection 1.8(c);

(f) dispositions of assets from a U.S. Credit Party to another U.S. Credit Party;

(g) dispositions of assets from a U.S. Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Credit Party to another U.S. Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary;

(h) dispositions of assets from a Canadian Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Credit Party for not more than fair market value;

(i) dispositions of assets from a Canadian Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(j) subject to Section 4.11, dispositions of Cash Equivalents in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(k) any issuance or sale of Stock or Stock Equivalents in an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(l) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the Ordinary Course of Business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(m) dispositions of assets 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; provided that to the extent the property being transferred constitutes ABL Priority Collateral, such replacement property shall constitute ABL Priority Collateral;

(n) 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; and

(o) additional dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted by this Section 5.2 if, immediately after giving effect to any such disposition, the aggregate amount (based on the net book value of all such assets) of all such dispositions does not exceed the lesser of (i) $150,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the Consolidated Total Assets of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such disposition for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such disposition); provided, that (A) no Default or Event of Default is in existence at the time of such disposition or would result therefrom and (B) the non-cash consideration received in connection therewith shall not exceed 25% of the total consideration received in connection with such disposition (it being agreed that non-cash consideration consisting of Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of dispositions having an aggregate fair market value in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate shall be excluded from such calculation).

5.3 Consolidations, Mergers, etc. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (a) merge, amalgamate, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice to Administrative Agent, (a) any Subsidiary of Axiall (other than the Canadian Borrower or SpinCo) may merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into, Axiall or a U.S. Subsidiary, provided, that Axiall or such U.S. Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving entity and all actions required to maintain perfected Liens on the Stock of the surviving entity and other Collateral in favor of Administrative Agent shall have been completed, (b) any Subsidiary of the Canadian Borrower (other than a U.S. Subsidiary) may merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into, the Canadian Borrower or a Canadian Subsidiary, provided, further, that the Canadian Borrower or such Canadian Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving entity and all actions required to maintain perfected Liens on the Stock of the surviving entity and other Collateral in favor of Administrative Agent shall have been completed (c) any Foreign Subsidiary may amalgamate, merge or consolidate with or into another Foreign Subsidiary provided if a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary is a constituent entity in such merger, amalgamation, dissolution or liquidation, such First Tier Foreign Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving entity and (d) any Subsidiary of Axiall (other than the Canadian Borrower or SpinCo) may be dissolved or liquidated provided that if such Subsidiary is a U.S. Credit Party, such Subsidiary’s assets are transferred to a U.S. Credit Party in connection with such liquidation or dissolution, and if such Subsidiary is a Canadian Subsidiary, such Subsidiary’s assets are transferred to a Canadian Credit Party or a U.S. Credit Party in connection with such liquidation or dissolution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Credit Parties may consummate the Transactions.

 

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5.4 Acquisitions; Loans and Investments. No Credit Party shall and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) purchase or acquire, or make any commitment to purchase or acquire any Stock or Stock Equivalents, or any obligations or other securities of, or any interest in, any Person, including the establishment or creation of a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) make or commit to make any Acquisitions, or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, or of any business or division of any Person, including without limitation, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination or (iii) make or purchase, or commit to make or purchase, any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person including a Borrower, any Affiliate of a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are referred to as “Investments”), except for:

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) (i) Investments by any U.S. Credit Party in any other U.S. Credit Party, (ii) Investments by any Canadian Credit Party in any Credit Party; (iii) Investments by any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party in any Credit Party or any other Subsidiary of any Credit Party; (iv) the Holdco Loan; and (v) Investments by any U.S. Credit Party in any Canadian Credit Party in the form of intercompany advances or loans made for working capital purposes; provided, that: (A) if any Credit Party executes and delivers a note (collectively, the “Intercompany Notes”) to evidence any such intercompany Indebtedness owing by such Credit Party, that Intercompany Note shall be pledged and delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement as additional collateral security for the Obligations; and (B) each Credit Party shall accurately record all intercompany transactions on its books and records;

(c) Investments received as the non-cash portion of consideration received in connection with transactions permitted pursuant to subsection 5.2(h);

(d) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent Accounts in the Ordinary Course of Business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers;

(e) Investments existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 5.4;

(f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 5.6;

(g) Permitted Acquisitions;

(h) Acquisitions not otherwise permitted by this Section 5.4 in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 in a single transaction or $50,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement; provided, that (i) to the extent the Acquisition will be financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of any Loan, the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 shall have been satisfied, (ii) the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (including any new Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 4.13, (iii) such Acquisition shall be non-hostile and shall have been approved, as necessary, by the target’s board of directors, shareholders or other requisite Persons, (iv) the assets, business or division acquired are for use, or the Person acquired is engaged, in a line of business substantially similar to the business conducted by the Credit Parties on the Effective Date (and business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto) and (v) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;

 

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(i) Additional Investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 5.4; provided, that at the time any such Investment is made and immediately after giving effect thereto (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) the total consideration paid or payable (including without limitation, all transaction costs, assumed Indebtedness and Liabilities incurred, assumed or reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such Investment and the reasonably anticipated amount of all deferred payments) for all Investments consummated during the term of this Agreement pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Investments (provided no such cap shall apply if Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such Investment occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the making of such Investment (pro forma after giving effect to such Investment), (iii) Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative demonstrating that the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.10 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the consummation of such Investment for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment) and (iv) Excess Availability shall be not less than $100,000,000 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment. For the avoidance of doubt, the restrictions set forth above shall not prohibit or require a reduction of outstanding Investments that were permitted to be made by this clause (i) at the time such Investments were made;

(j) any Investments made in connection with any Aromatics Asset Sale or Building Products Division Asset Sale;

(k) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result therefrom, Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount of all such Investments outstanding at any time not to exceed $20,000,000;

(l) Investments made solely to effect the Transactions;

(m) Investments made in connection with the entering into of a Secured Rate Contract;

(n) Investments held by a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged into a Borrower or merged or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.3 after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(o) Investments to the extent the payment for such Investment is made solely with Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall;

 

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(p) Investments consisting of Contingent Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 5.9;

(q) Investments made in connection with the initial designation of TCI and/or the direct holder of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of TCI as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the Effective Date following the purchase of such Stock and Stock Equivalents in accordance with terms of the PPG Merger Agreement;

(r) (i) Ethylene Cracker Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $700,000,000 and (ii) Investments consisting of the purchase of Stock and Stock Equivalents of TCI not owned by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of Credit Party on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $120,000,00; provided, that at the time such Investment is made (or, in the case of the construction of any new Ethylene Cracker Facility, initiated) and immediately after giving effect thereto (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such Investment occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the making of such Investment (pro forma after giving effect to such Investment), and (z) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such Investment for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment); provided, further, that in the case of the construction of any new Ethylene Cracker Facility, no Loans may be used, directly or indirectly, to finance such Investment to the extent that the conditions set forth in the foregoing clauses (x), (y) and (z) are unable to be satisfied on a pro forma basis at the time any such Investment is made.

For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent changes in the value of such Investment, net of any return representing a return of capital with respect to such Investment.

5.5 Limitation on Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness consisting of Contingent Obligations described in clause (c) of the definition thereof and permitted pursuant to Section 5.9;

(c) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 5.5;

(d) Indebtedness not to exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding, consisting of Capital Lease Obligations or Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, repairing, replacing or improving any Property (and which Indebtedness is secured by Liens permitted by subsection 5.1(h)) and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

 

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(e) (i) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsection 5.4(b) and (ii) the Holdco Loan; provided, that, in each case, such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations as to right and time of payment and as to other rights and remedies thereunder on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f) unsecured Subordinated Indebtedness not to exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding (provided no such cap shall apply if (i) interest on such Subordinated Indebtedness is capitalized for the duration of its term or (ii) if Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such issuance occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the incurrence thereof (pro forma after giving effect to the issuance of such Subordinated Indebtedness); provided, that at the time of such incurrence and immediately after giving effect thereto (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (y) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.10 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such Subordinated Indebtedness for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence);

(g) Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition (and Permitted Refinancings thereof); provided, that such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred by any party in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition and such Indebtedness (and any guarantee thereof) shall be permitted under Section 5.1 and Section 5.9, respectively, on a pro forma basis at the time of such assumption;

(h) Indebtedness consisting of (i) (A) the Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000, (B) the Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $280,000,000 and (C) the 2013 Indenture and, in each case, Permitted Refinancings thereof (including any guarantees thereof by the Credit Parties) and (ii) Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations (and Permitted Refinancings thereof) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $800,000,000 (less the outstanding principal amount, at any time of Secured Notes, Term Loans and Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations outstanding at such time) and (y) an amount such that both before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence);

(i) Indebtedness under performance bonds, surety bonds, release, appeal and similar bonds, statutory obligations or with respect to workers’ compensation claims, in each case incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, and reimbursement obligations in respect of any of the foregoing (including in respect of letters of credit issued in support of any of the foregoing);

(j) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 5.2;

(k) other unsecured Indebtedness not exceeding $75,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding (provided no such cap shall apply if Excess Availability would

 

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have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such issuance occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the incurrence thereof (pro forma after giving effect to such Indebtedness); provided, that at the time of such incurrence and immediately after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.10 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the incurrence of such unsecured Indebtedness for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence);

(l) other unsecured Indebtedness not exceeding $450,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding and Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that some or all of the proceeds of such Indebtedness will be used to prepay, retire or redeem in full the Secured Notes;

(m) Indebtedness of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and any Permitted Refinancings thereof so long as (i) such Indebtedness is existing as the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and is not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) such Indebtedness (and any guarantee thereof) shall be permitted under Section 5.1 and Section 5.9, respectively, on a pro forma basis at the time of such assumption and (iii) is Non-Recourse Debt;

(n) Indebtedness which is incurred to finance an Ethylene Cracker Investment, or to finance the acquisition, construction, refurbishing, improvement, repairing, replacing or upgrading of an Ethylene Cracker Facility, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $700,000,000, and Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided, that at the time of such incurrence (or, in the case of the construction of any new Ethylene Cracker Facility, at the time such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into a binding commitment in respect of such construction financing) and immediately after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such incurrence occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the incurrence thereof (pro forma after giving effect to such Indebtedness), and (z) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such incurrence for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such incurrence); and

(o) other secured Indebtedness; provided that (i) such Indebtedness does not exceed at any one time outstanding the positive difference (if any) of (A) the greater of (x) $100,000,000 million and (y) 5.5% of Consolidated Total Assets minus (B) the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness secured by Liens under Section 5.1(o) and (ii) any Liens granted or permitted in connection with such Indebtedness are permitted by Section 5.1.

 

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5.6 Employee Loans and Transactions with Affiliates. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of a Borrower or of any such Restricted Subsidiary or pay any management, consulting or similar fees to any Affiliate of any Credit Party or to any officer, director or employee of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party, except:

(a) as expressly permitted by this Agreement;

(b) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of a Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary and which are disclosed in writing to Administrative Agent to the extent any such transaction involves aggregate consideration in excess of $20,000,000;

(c) customary compensation and reimbursement of expenses and indemnity provided on behalf of officers and directors;

(d) any issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents of Axiall to Affiliates of Axiall;

(e) loans or advances to employees of Credit Parties for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses and other ordinary business purposes in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(f) non-cash loans or advances made by Axiall to employees of Credit Parties that are simultaneously used by such Persons to purchase Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall; and

(g) the Transactions.

Any such transaction existing as of the Effective Date that involves consideration in excess of $20,000,000 is described in Schedule 5.6.

5.7 [Reserved].

5.8 Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry Margin Stock or repay or otherwise refinance Indebtedness of any Credit Party or others incurred to purchase or carry Margin Stock, or otherwise in any manner which is in contravention of any Requirement of Law or in violation of this Agreement.

5.9 Contingent Obligations. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Contingent Obligations except in respect of the Obligations and except:

(a) endorsements for collection or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b) Rate Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation;

(c) Contingent Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries existing as of the Effective Date and listed in Schedule 5.9, including extension and renewals thereof which do not increase the amount of such Contingent Obligations or impose materially more restrictive or adverse terms on the Credit Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries as compared to the terms of the Contingent Obligation being renewed or extended;

 

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(d) Contingent Obligations arising under indemnity agreements to title insurers to cause such title insurers to issue to Administrative Agent title insurance policies;

(e) Contingent Obligations arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations in favor of (i) sellers in connection with Acquisitions permitted hereunder and (ii) purchasers in connection with dispositions permitted under subsection 5.2(b);

(f) Contingent Obligations arising under Letters of Credit;

(g) Contingent Obligations arising under guarantees of obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary which obligations are otherwise permitted under this Agreement; provided, that if such obligation is subordinated to the Obligations, such guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent;

(h) Contingent Obligations consisting of Indebtedness permitted under Section 5.2;

(i) Contingent Obligations assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Contingent Obligations shall not have been incurred by any party in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(j) Contingent Obligations arising in connection with or incurred pursuant to the making any Ethylene Cracker Investment; provided, that at the time such Contingent Obligations are entered into and immediately after giving effect thereto (w) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (x) Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such incurrence occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the entering into of such Contingent Obligation (pro forma after giving effect to such Contingent Obligation), (y) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such incurrence for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Contingent Obligation) and (z) any Liens securing such Contingent Obligations shall be permitted under Section 5.1; and

(k) other Contingent Obligations not exceeding $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

5.10 Compliance with ERISA. No ERISA Affiliate shall cause or suffer to exist (a) any event that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien on any asset of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party with respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (b) any other ERISA Event, that would, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. No Credit Party shall cause or suffer to exist any event that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien on any asset with respect to any Benefit Plan.

 

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5.11 Restricted Payments. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any Stock or Stock Equivalent, (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any Stock or Stock Equivalent now or hereafter outstanding or (iii) make any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, interest, fees, redemption, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to Subordinated Indebtedness (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above are referred to as “Restricted Payments”); except that:

(a) any U.S. Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends to any U.S. Credit Party;

(b) any Canadian Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make trust distributions to any Credit Party;

(c) Axiall may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in its Stock or Stock Equivalents;

(d) except during a Cash Dominion Period, Axiall may make Restricted Payments; provided, that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, (i) Excess Availability exceeds $100,000,000 and (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.10 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such Restricted Payment for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1);

(e) Axiall may pay any dividend or consummate any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

(f) Axiall may make Restricted Payments in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Axiall) of, Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to Axiall;

(g) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value Subordinated Indebtedness with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing;

(h) a Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall may pay a dividend or other distribution (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) to the holders of its Stock or Stock Equivalents on a pro rata basis;

(i) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may repurchase or otherwise retire its Stock or Stock Equivalents in connection with the exercise, vesting or award of Stock or Stock Equivalents to employees or other qualified recipients made for compensation purposes, to the extent such Stock or Stock Equivalents so repurchased or retired represent the exercise price in respect of stock options, or the reduction in Stock or Stock Equivalents to account for payments in respect of withholding, income or similar taxes, paid by Axiall or its Restricted Subsidiaries on behalf of such employees or other qualified recipients;

 

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(j) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value Subordinated Indebtedness in connection with any “change in control offer” or “asset sale offer”; provided that any such “change in control offer” or “asset sale offer” is made in accordance with the documentation governing such Subordinated Indebtedness;

(k) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed the sum of (A) $10.0 million during any calendar year (with unused amounts being available to be used in the following calendar year, but not in any succeeding calendar year) plus (B) the amount of any net cash proceeds received by or contributed to Axiall from the issuance and sale after the Effective Date of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall to its officers, directors or employees that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (k), plus (C) the net cash proceeds of any “key-man” life insurance policies that have not been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (k);

(l) Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments necessary to consummate the Transactions; and

(m) except during a Cash Dominion Period, Axiall may make additional Restricted Payments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the definition thereof in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 in any Fiscal Year provided, that at the time of such Restricted Payment and immediately after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) Excess Availability would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such Restricted Payment occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding such Restricted Payment (pro forma after giving effect to such Restricted Payment), and (z) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or exceeds 1.00 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to such Restricted Payment for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment).

5.12 Change in Business. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by it on the date hereof, or business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto.

5.13 Change in Structure. Except as expressly permitted under Section 5.3, no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any changes in its equity capital structure, issue any Stock or Stock Equivalents or amend any of its Organization Documents, in each case, in any respect materially adverse to Administrative Agent or Lenders.

 

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5.14 Changes in Accounting, Name or Jurisdiction of Organization. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, (ii) change the Fiscal Year or method for determining Fiscal Quarters of any Credit Party or of any consolidated Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (iii) change its name as it appears in official filings in its jurisdiction of organization or (iv) change its jurisdiction of organization, in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv), without at least twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to Administrative Agent and the acknowledgement of Administrative Agent that all actions required by Administrative Agent, including those to continue the perfection of its Liens, have been completed.

5.15 Amendments to Other Financing Documents and Subordinated Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to, change or amend the terms of any (i) Other Financing Documents in a manner prohibited by the Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable or (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness if the effect of such change or amendment with respect to such Subordinated Indebtedness is to: (A) increase the interest rate which is payable in cash on such Indebtedness by more than 200 basis points per annum; (B) shorten the dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness; (C) add or change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties any event of default or add or make materially more restrictive any covenant with respect to such Indebtedness; (D) change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties the prepayment provisions of such Indebtedness or (E) change the subordination provisions thereof (or the subordination terms of any guaranty thereof) in a manner adverse to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

5.16 No Negative Pledges.

(a) No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual restriction or encumbrance of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or any of their respective U.S. Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Credit Party’s or U.S Subsidiary’s or Canadian Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalents or to pay fees, including management fees, or make other payments and distributions to a Borrower or any Credit Party except pursuant to any document or instrument governing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsections 5.5(c), 5.5(f), 5.5(h), 5.5(k), 5.5(m), 5.5(n) and 5.5(o). No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its U.S. Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to, directly or indirectly, enter into, assume or become subject to any Contractual Obligation prohibiting or otherwise restricting the existence of any Lien upon any of its assets in favor of the Co-Collateral Agents, whether now owned or hereafter acquired except (i) in connection with any document or instrument governing Liens permitted pursuant to subsections 5.1(a), 5.1(h), 5.1(l), 5.1(n), 5.1(o), and 5.1(u) provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such permitted Liens or (ii) contained in any agreement entered into in connection with a Permitted Acquisition.

(b) No Credit Party shall issue any Stock or Stock Equivalents (i) if such issuance would result in an Event of Default under subsection 7.1(k) and (ii) unless such Stock and Stock Equivalents are pledged to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for the Obligations, on substantially the same terms and conditions as the other Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Credit Party are pledged to Administrative Agent.

 

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5.17 OFAC; Patriot Act. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to fail to comply with the laws, regulations and executive orders referred to in Section 3.30.

5.18 Sale-Leasebacks. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to subsection 5.2(d), no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in a sale leaseback, synthetic lease or similar transaction involving any of its assets.

5.19 Hazardous Materials. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or suffer to exist any Release of any Hazardous Material at, to or from any Real Estate that would violate any Environmental Law, form the basis for any Environmental Liabilities or otherwise adversely affect the value or marketability of any Real Estate (whether or not owned by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party), in each such case, to the extent such Release would reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.20 [Reserved].

5.21 Canadian Pension Plans; Pensions and Benefit Plans. No Canadian Credit Party shall establish a Canadian Pension Plan. No ERISA Affiliate shall cause or suffer to exist any termination, complete or partial wind-up, withdrawal, reorganization, insolvency or similar event with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan which would, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.22 Canadian Changes. No Canadian Credit Party shall (a) change its incorporated name, or if not a corporation, its name as it appears in official filings in the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) change its chief executive office, principal place of business, domicile (within the meaning of the Civil Code of Quebec), corporate offices or provinces where which Collateral is held or stored, or the location of its records concerning the Collateral, (c) change the type of entity that it is, (d) change its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, in each case without at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to Agent and after Agent’s written acknowledgment that any reasonable action requested by Agent in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection and, in the case of the Province of Quebec, publication, of any Liens in favor of Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties, in any Collateral, has been completed or taken, and provided, that with respect to paragraphs (b) and (d), any such new location shall be in Canada. Without limiting the foregoing, no Credit Party shall change its name, identity or corporate or organizational structure in any manner that might make any financing statement filed in connection herewith or any other Loan Document materially misleading within the meaning of section 46(4) of the PPSA (or any comparable provision then in effect) except upon prior written notice to Agent and after Agent’s written acknowledgement that any reasonable action requested by Agent in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection or, in the case of the Province of Quebec, publication, of any Liens in favour of Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, in any Collateral, has been completed or taken. No Credit Party shall change its Fiscal Year.

 

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5.23 Permitted Reorganization. The Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders hereby agree that certain restructuring transactions among the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries to be entered into in connection with the Borrowers’ global tax planning (the “Tax Planning Transactions”) may be consented to by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) on behalf of the Requisite Lenders and that such Tax Planning Transactions shall not constitute “Investments” or “Dispositions” for purposes of the limitations of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall withhold its consent (and shall be deemed to be acting reasonably in withholding such consent) to any such transactions that (i) adversely affect the perfection or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such Liens are replaced by perfected Liens with the same priority on assets with substantially equivalent value, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, (ii) adversely affect the value of any Collateral, including any Stock pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such Collateral is replaced with assets with substantially equivalent value, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, or (iii) release any Restricted Subsidiary from its Obligations under the Loan Documents, except to the extent any such guaranty is replaced with a replacement guaranty or other credit support with substantially equivalent value, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE VI.

FINANCIAL COVENANT

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification Obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied:

6.1 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. If at any time Excess Availability is less than the Threshold Amount for three (3) consecutive Business Days (a “Financial Covenant Trigger Event”) (provided, no borrowing is permitted during such 3- Business Day period), the Credit Parties shall not permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter end for which financial statements are available and as of each subsequent fiscal quarter end thereafter to be less than 1.10 to 1.00; provided, that (a) a breach of such covenant when so tested shall not be cured by a subsequent increase of Excess Availability above the Threshold Amount and (b) such requirement to maintain a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.00 shall no longer apply for subsequent periods if Excess Availability on each day during any period of sixty (60) consecutive days commencing after the date of such Financial Covenant Trigger Event is greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount, after which time the requirement to comply with the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of this Section 6.1 shall not apply unless a subsequent Financial Covenant Trigger Event occurs.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) Non-Payment. Any Credit Party fails (i) to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, including after maturity of the Loans, or to pay any L/C Reimbursement Obligation, (ii) to pay within three (3) Business Days after the same shall become due, any interest, or (iii) to pay within five (5) Business Days after the same shall become due, any fee or any other amount payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document;

(b) Representation or Warranty. (i) Any representation, warranty or certification by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made or deemed made herein, in any other Loan Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement by any such Person, or their respective Responsible Officers, furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under any other Loan Document, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of other materiality qualifiers contained therein) on or as of the date made or deemed made or (ii) any information contained in any Borrowing Base Certificate is untrue or incorrect in any respect (other than (A) inadvertent, immaterial errors not exceeding $6,000,000 in the aggregate in any Borrowing Base Certificate, (B) errors understating the Borrowing Base and (C) errors occurring when Excess Availability continues to exceed $100,000,000 after giving effect to the correction of such errors);

(c) Specific Defaults. Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of subsection 4.2(a), 4.2(b), 4.2(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(a) or 9.10(d), Section 4.1, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 4.16, 4.17 or Article V or VI or the Fee Letters;

(d) Other Defaults. Any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of (i) the date upon which a Responsible Officer of any Credit Party becomes aware of such default and (ii) the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrower Representative by Administrative Agent or Required Lenders;

(e) Cross Default. Any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or Contingent Obligation having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $50,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity (without regard to any subordination terms with respect thereto), or such Contingent Obligation to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded;

(f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. A Borrower, individually, ceases or fails, or the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, cease or fail,

 

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to be Solvent, or any Credit Party: (i) generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course; (iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing;

(g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is commenced or filed against any Credit Party, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against any such Person’s Properties with a value in excess of $50,000,000 individually or in the aggregate and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) any Credit Party admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) any Credit Party acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business;

(h) Monetary Judgments. One or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards shall be entered against any one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability of $50,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by insurance to the extent the relevant independent third party insurer has not denied coverage therefor), and the same shall remain unsatisfied, unvacated and unstayed pending appeal for a period of thirty (30) days after the entry thereof;

(i) Non Monetary Judgments. One or more non-monetary judgments, orders or decrees shall be rendered against any one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries which has or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any period of ten (10) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

(j) Collateral. Any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party thereto or any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party shall so state in writing or bring an action to limit its obligations or liabilities thereunder; or any Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) cease to create a valid security interest in the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason cease to be a perfected and first priority security interest subject only to Permitted Liens;

(k) Ownership. (i) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act); (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Axiall; (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of Axiall,

 

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measured by voting power rather than number of shares, (iv) Axiall shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Voting Stock of the Canadian Borrower or SpinCo or (v) “Change of Control” (or other analogous terms or provision as defined in or reflected in any Other Financing Document) shall occur. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holding company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the Voting Stock of Axiall shall not be deemed to be a “person” for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) above such that the Beneficial Owners of such holding company shall be the Beneficial Owners of Axiall’s Voting Stock for purposes of clauses (i) and (iii) above; or

(l) Invalidity of Subordination Provisions. The lien subordination provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement or any agreement or instrument governing any Subordinated Indebtedness shall for any reason be revoked or invalidated, or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect, or any Person deny that it has any further liability or obligation thereunder, or the Obligations, for any reason shall not have the priority contemplated by this Agreement or such subordination provisions.

7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Administrative Agent may, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders:

(a) declare all or any portion of the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans or of the L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit to be suspended or terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall forthwith be suspended or terminated;

(b) declare all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable; without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and/or

(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) above (in the case of clause (i) of subsection 7.1(g) upon the expiration of the sixty (60) day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable without further act of Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer.

7.3 Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

7.4 Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, this Agreement (or the Revolving Loan Commitment) shall be terminated for any reason or if otherwise required by the terms hereof, Administrative Agent may, and upon request of Required Lenders, shall, demand (which demand shall be deemed to have been delivered

 

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automatically upon any acceleration of the Loans and other obligations hereunder pursuant to Section 7.2), and the Borrowers shall thereupon deliver to Administrative Agent, to be held for the benefit of the L/C Issuer, Administrative Agent and the Lenders entitled thereto, an amount of cash equal to 105% of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount of L/C Reimbursement Obligations as additional collateral security for Obligations. Administrative Agent may at any time apply any or all of such cash and cash collateral to the payment of any or all of the Credit Parties’ Obligations. The remaining balance of the cash collateral will be returned to the Borrowers when all Letters of Credit have been terminated or discharged, all Commitments have been terminated and all Obligations have been paid in full in cash.

ARTICLE VIII.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

8.1 Appointment and Duties.

(a) Appointment of Agents. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer hereby appoints GE Capital (together with any successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.9) as Administrative Agent hereunder and authorizes Administrative Agent to (i) execute and deliver the Loan Documents and accept delivery thereof on its behalf from any Credit Party, (ii) execute and deliver the Agreement on its behalf, (iii) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly delegated to Administrative Agent under such Loan Documents and (iii) exercise such powers as are incidental thereto. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer hereby appoints GE Capital (together with any successor Agent pursuant to Section 9.09) as a Co-Collateral Agent hereunder and authorizes such Agent to (i) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly delegated to such Co-Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents and (ii) exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer hereby appoints Wells Fargo as a Co-Collateral Agent hereunder and authorizes such Co-Collateral Agent to (i) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly delegated to such Co-Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents and (ii) exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

(b) Duties as Collateral and Disbursing Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of clause (a) above, Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority (to the exclusion of the Lenders and L/C Issuers), and is hereby authorized, to (i) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for the Lenders and the L/C Issuers with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents (including in any proceeding described in subsection 7.1(g) or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding), and each Person making any payment in connection with any Loan Document to any Secured Party is hereby authorized to make such payment to Administrative Agent, (ii) file and prove claims and file other documents necessary or desirable to allow the claims of the Secured Parties with respect to any Obligation in any proceeding described in subsection 7.1(f) or (g) or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding (but not to vote, consent or otherwise act on behalf of such Person), (iii) act as collateral agent for each Secured Party for purposes of the perfection of all Liens created by such agreements and all other purposes stated therein, (iv) manage, supervise and otherwise deal with the Collateral, (v) take such other action as is necessary or desirable to maintain the perfection and priority of the Liens created or purported to be created by the Loan Documents, (vi) except as may be otherwise specified in any Loan Document, exercise all remedies given to Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties

 

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with respect to the Collateral, whether under the Loan Documents, applicable Requirements of Law or otherwise and (vii) execute any amendment, consent or waiver under the Loan Documents on behalf of any Lender that has consented in writing to such amendment, consent or waiver; provided, however, that Administrative Agent hereby appoints, authorizes and directs each Lender and L/C Issuer to act as collateral sub- agent for Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers for purposes of the perfection of Liens with respect to any deposit account maintained by a Credit Party with, and cash and Cash Equivalents held by, such Lender or L/C Issuer, and may further authorize and direct the Lenders and the L/C Issuers to take further actions as collateral sub- agents for purposes of enforcing such Liens or otherwise to transfer the Collateral subject thereto to Administrative Agent, and each Lender and L/C Issuer hereby agrees to take such further actions to the extent, and only to the extent, so authorized and directed.

(c) Limited Duties. Under the Loan Documents, each Agent (i) is acting solely on behalf of the Secured Parties (except to the limited extent provided in subsection 1.4(b) with respect to the Register), with duties that are entirely administrative in nature, notwithstanding the use of the defined term “Administrative Agent”, “Co-Collateral Agent”, as applicable, or the terms “agent” and “collateral agent” and similar terms in any Loan Document to refer to any Agent, which terms are used for title purposes only, (ii) is not assuming any obligation under any Loan Document other than as expressly set forth therein or any role as agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, L/C Issuer or any other Person and (iii) shall have no implied functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or other liabilities under any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, hereby waives and agrees not to assert any claim against any Agent based on the roles, duties and legal relationships expressly disclaimed in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

8.2 Binding Effect. Each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, agrees that (i) any action taken by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if expressly required hereby, a greater proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, (ii) any action taken by Administrative Agent in reliance upon the instructions of Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion) and (iii) the exercise by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Secured Parties.

8.3 Use of Discretion.

(a) Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided, that Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirement of Law; and

(b) Administrative Agent shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Credit Party or its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

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8.4 Delegation of Rights and Duties. Administrative Agent may, upon any term or condition it specifies, delegate or exercise any of its rights, powers and remedies under, and delegate or perform any of its duties or any other action with respect to, any Loan Document by or through any trustee, co- agent, employee, attorney-in-fact and any other Person (including any Secured Party). Any such Person shall benefit from this Article VIII to the extent provided by Administrative Agent.

8.5 Reliance and Liability.

(a) Administrative Agent may, without incurring any liability hereunder, (i) treat the payee of any Note as its holder until such Note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.9, (ii) rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 1.4, (iii) consult with any of its Related Persons and, whether or not selected by it, any other advisors, accountants and other experts (including advisors to, and accountants and experts engaged by, any Credit Party) and (iv) rely and act upon any document and information (including those transmitted by Electronic Transmission) and any telephone message or conversation, in each case believed by it to be genuine and transmitted, signed or otherwise authenticated by the appropriate parties.

(b) No Agent and no Related Person of any Agent shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, each Borrower and each other Credit Party hereby waives and shall not assert (and each of the Borrowers shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and agree not to assert) any right, claim or cause of action based thereon, except to the extent of liabilities resulting primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or, as the case may be, such Related Person (each as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction) in connection with the duties expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the foregoing, no Agent:

(i) shall be responsible or otherwise incur liability for any action or omission taken in reliance upon the instructions of the Required Lenders or for the actions or omissions of any of its Related Persons selected with reasonable care (other than employees, officers and directors of Administrative Agent, when acting on behalf of Administrative Agent);

(ii) shall be responsible to any Lender, L/C Issuer or other Person for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Loan Document;

(iii) makes any warranty or representation, and no Agent shall be responsible, to any Lender, L/C Issuer or other Person for any statement, document, information, representation or warranty made or furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein or any other document or information with respect to any Credit Party, whether or not transmitted or (except for documents expressly required under any Loan Document to be transmitted to the Lenders) omitted to be transmitted by Administrative Agent, including as to completeness, accuracy, scope or adequacy thereof, or for the scope, nature or results of any due diligence performed by Administrative Agent in connection with the Loan Documents; and

 

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(iv) shall have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any provision of any Loan Document, whether any condition set forth in any Loan Document is satisfied or waived, as to the financial condition of any Credit Party or as to the existence or continuation or possible occurrence or continuation of any Default or Event of Default and shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of such occurrence or continuation unless it has received a notice from the Borrower Representative, any Lender or L/C Issuer describing such Default or Event of Default clearly labeled “notice of default” (in which case Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice of such receipt to all Lenders);

and, for each of the items set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above, each Lender, L/C Issuer and each Borrower hereby waives and agrees not to assert (and each Borrower shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and agree not to assert) any right, claim or cause of action it might have against any Agent based thereon.

(c) Each Lender and L/C Issuer (i) acknowledges that it has performed and will continue to perform its own diligence and has made and will continue to make its own independent investigation of the operations, financial conditions and affairs of the Credit Parties and (ii) agrees that is shall not rely on any audit or other report provided by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons (an “Administrative Agent Report”). Each Lender and L/C Issuer further acknowledges that any Administrative Agent Report (i) is provided to the Lenders and L/C Issuers solely as a courtesy, without consideration, and based upon the understanding that such Lender or L/C Issuer will not rely on such Administrative Agent Report, (ii) was prepared by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons based upon information provided by the Credit Parties solely for Administrative Agent’s own internal use, (iii) may not be complete and may not reflect all information and findings obtained by Administrative Agent or its Related Persons regarding the operations and condition of the Credit Parties. Neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons makes any representations or warranties of any kind with respect to (i) any existing or proposed financing, (ii) the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in any Administrative Agent Report or in any related documentation, (iii) the scope or adequacy of Administrative Agent’s and its Related Persons’ due diligence, or the presence or absence of any errors or omissions contained in any Administrative Agent Report or in any related documentation, and (iv) any work performed by Administrative Agent or Administrative Agent’s Related Persons in connection with or using any Administrative Agent Report or any related documentation.

(d) Neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall have any duties or obligations in connection with or as a result of any Lender or L/C Issuer receiving a copy of any Administrative Agent Report. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, neither Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall have any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any Administrative Agent Report, or the appropriateness of any Administrative Agent Report for any Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s purposes, and shall have no duty or responsibility to correct or update any Administrative Agent Report or disclose to any Lender or L/C Issuer any other information not embodied in any Administrative Agent Report, including any supplemental information obtained after the date of any Administrative Agent Report. Each Lender and L/C Issuer releases, and agrees that it will not assert, any claim against Administrative Agent or its Related Persons that in any way relates to any Administrative Agent Report or arises out of any Lender or L/C Issuer having access to any Administrative Agent Report or any discussion of its contents.

 

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8.6 Agents Individually. Each Agent and its Affiliates may make loans and other extensions of credit to, acquire Stock and Stock Equivalents of, engage in any kind of business with, any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof as though it were not acting as such Agent and may receive separate fees and other payments therefor. To the extent any Agent or any of its Affiliates makes any Loan or otherwise becomes a Lender hereunder, it shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and shall be subject to the same obligations and liabilities as any other Lender and the terms “Lender”, “Revolving Lender”, “Required Lender” and any similar terms shall, except where otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document, include, without limitation, such Agent or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its individual capacity as Lender, Revolving Lender or as one of the Required Lenders.

8.7 Lender Credit Decision.

(a) Each Lender and each L/C Issuer acknowledges that it shall, independently and without reliance upon any Agent, any Lender or L/C Issuer or any of their Related Persons or upon any document (including any offering and disclosure materials in connection with the syndication of the Loans) solely or in part because such document was transmitted by any Agent or any of their Related Persons, conduct its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each Credit Party and make and continue to make its own credit decisions in connection with entering into, and taking or not taking any action under, any Loan Document or with respect to any transaction contemplated in any Loan Document, in each case based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate. Except for documents expressly required by any Loan Document to be transmitted by any Agent to the Lenders or L/C Issuers, no Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender or L/C Issuer with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party that may come in to the possession of such Agent or any of its Related Persons.

(b) If any Lender or L/C Issuer has elected to abstain from receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates, such Lender or L/C Issuer acknowledges that, notwithstanding such election, Administrative Agent and/or the Credit Parties will, from time to time, make available syndicate-information (which may contain MNPI) as required by the terms of, or in the course of administering the Loans to the credit contact(s) identified for receipt of such information on the Lender’s administrative questionnaire who are able to receive and use all syndicate-level information (which may contain MNPI) in accordance with such Lender’s compliance policies and contractual obligations and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws; provided, that if such contact is not so identified in such questionnaire, the relevant Lender or L/C Issuer hereby agrees to promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) provide such a contact to Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties upon request therefor by Administrative Agent or the Credit Parties. Notwithstanding such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s election to abstain from receiving MNPI, such Lender or L/C Issuer acknowledges that if such Lender or L/C Issuer chooses to communicate with Administrative Agent, it assumes the risk of receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates.

8.8 Expenses; Indemnities; Withholding.

(a) Each Lender agrees to reimburse each Agent and each of its Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by any Credit Party) promptly upon demand, severally and

 

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ratably, for any costs and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and Other Taxes paid in the name of, or on behalf of, any Credit Party) that may be incurred by such Agent or any of its Related Persons in connection with the preparation, syndication, execution, delivery, administration, modification, consent, waiver or enforcement (whether through negotiations, through any work-out, bankruptcy, restructuring, debtor-in-possession proceeding or other legal or other proceeding or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of its rights or responsibilities under, any Loan Document.

(b) Each Lender further agrees to indemnify each Agent, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by any Credit Party), severally and ratably, from and against Liabilities (including, as described in subsection 8.8(c) and to the extent not indemnified thereunder, taxes, interests and penalties imposed for not properly withholding or backup withholding on payments made to or for the account of any Lender and any taxes attributable to any Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.9(g) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent or L/C Issuer or any of its Related Persons in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of any Loan Document or any other act, event or transaction related, contemplated in or attendant to any such document, or, in each case, any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Agent or L/C Issuer or any of its Related Persons under or with respect to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable to any Agent or L/C Issuer or any of their respective Related Persons to the extent such liability has resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent, L/C Issuer or Related Person, as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order.

(c) To the extent required by any applicable law, Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender under a Loan Document an amount equal to any applicable withholding tax. If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate certification form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or fails to establish an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax with respect to a particular type of payment, or because such Lender failed to notify Administrative Agent or any other Person of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), or Administrative Agent reasonably determines that it was required to withhold taxes from a prior payment but failed to do so, such Lender shall promptly indemnify Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by such Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and together with all expenses incurred by Administrative Agent, including legal expenses, allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Administrative Agent may offset against any payment to any Lender under a Loan Document, any applicable withholding tax that was required to be withheld from any prior payment to such Lender but which was not so withheld, as well as any other amounts for which Administrative Agent is entitled to indemnification from such Lender under this Section 8.8(c).

8.9 Resignation of Administrative Agent or L/C Issuer.

(a) Any Agent may resign at any time by delivering notice of such resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower Representative, effective on the date set forth in such notice or, if no such date is set forth therein, upon the date such notice shall be effective in

 

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accordance with the terms of this Section 8.9. If any Agent delivers any such notice, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent (other than a successor Co-Collateral Agent to Wells Fargo). If, within 30 days after the retiring Agent having given notice of resignation, no successor Agent has been appointed by the Required Lenders that has accepted such appointment, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent from among the Lenders (it being understood that in the event that Wells Fargo resigns as Co-Collateral Agent, Wells Fargo may not have such right to appoint a successor Co-Collateral Agent). Each appointment under this clause (a) shall be subject to the prior consent of the Borrowers, which may not be unreasonably withheld but shall not be required during the continuance of an Event of Default.

(b) Effective immediately upon its resignation, (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents, (ii) the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of such Agent until a successor Agent shall have accepted a valid appointment hereunder, (iii) the retiring Agent and its Related Persons shall no longer have the benefit of any provision of any Loan Document other than with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken while such retiring Agent was, or because such Agent had been, validly acting as an Agent under the Loan Documents and (iv) subject to its rights under Section 8.3, the retiring Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Agent its rights as such Agent under the Loan Documents. Effective immediately upon its acceptance of a valid appointment as such Agent, a successor Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent under the Loan Documents.

(c) Any L/C Issuer may refuse to issue a Letter of Credit in its sole discretion. Any Lender that is an L/C Issuer may at any time assign all of its Commitments pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, Section 9.9. If such L/C Issuer ceases to be a Lender, it may, at its option, resign as L/C Issuer. In addition, any L/C Issuer may, at any time give notice of its resignation to Administrative Agent and the Borrowers. Upon the resignation of such L/C Issuer, such L/C Issuer’s obligations to issue Letters of Credit shall terminate but it shall retain all of the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations), shall continue.

8.10 Release of Collateral or Guarantors. Each Lender and L/C Issuer hereby consents to the release and hereby directs Administrative Agent to release (or, in the case of clause (b)(ii) below, release or subordinate) the following:

(a) any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower from its guaranty of any Obligation if all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by any Credit Party are sold or transferred in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including pursuant to a waiver or consent); and

(b) any Lien held by Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties against (i) any Collateral that is sold, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of by a Credit Party in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents (including pursuant to a waiver or consent), (ii) any property subject to a Lien permitted hereunder in reliance upon subsection 5.1(h) and (iii) all of the Collateral and all Credit Parties, upon (A) termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments, (B) payment and satisfaction in full of all Loans, all L/C Reimbursement

 

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Obligations and all other Obligations under the Loan Documents and all Obligations arising under Secured Rate Contracts, that Administrative Agent has theretofore been notified in writing by the holder of such Obligation are then due and payable, (C) deposit of cash collateral with respect to all contingent Obligations (or, as an alternative to cash collateral in the case of any Letter of Credit Obligation, receipt by Administrative Agent of a back-up letter of credit), in amounts and on terms and conditions and with parties satisfactory to Administrative Agent and each Indemnitee that is, or may be, owed such Obligations (excluding contingent Obligations (other than L/C Reimbursement Obligations) as to which no claim has been asserted) and (D) to the extent requested by Administrative Agent, receipt by Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties of liability releases from the Credit Parties each in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent.

Each Lender and L/C Issuer hereby directs Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent hereby agrees, upon receipt of at least five (5) Business Days’ advance notice from the Borrower Representative, to execute and deliver or file such documents and to perform other actions reasonably necessary to release the guaranties and Liens when and as directed in this Section 8.10.

8.11 Additional Secured Parties.

(a) The benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not a Lender or L/C Issuer party hereto as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among Administrative Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by Administrative Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent) this Article VIII and Sections 9.3, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11, 9.17, 9.24 and 10.1 (and, solely with respect to L/C Issuers, subsection 1.1(c)) and the decisions and actions of Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) each of Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers party hereto shall be entitled to act at its sole discretion, without regard to the interest of such Secured Party, regardless of whether any Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Obligation and (b) except as otherwise set forth herein, such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.

(b) Bank Products. Each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof and of the provisions of the other Loan Documents for purposes of any reference in a Loan Document to the parties for whom Administrative Agent is acting; it being understood and agreed that the rights and benefits of such Bank Product Provider under the Loan Documents consist exclusively of such Bank Product Provider’s being a beneficiary of the Liens and security interests granted to Administrative Agent and the right to share in payments and collections out of the Collateral as more fully set forth herein.

 

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8.12 Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, nor shall the Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent. At any time that any Lender serving (or whose Affiliate is serving) as Documentation Agent and/or Syndication Agent shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any Affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans and the Revolving Loan Commitment, such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender acting as Documentation Agent or Syndication Agent) shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Documentation Agent and/or Syndication Agent.

8.13 Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matters. This Agreement provides that certain matters (the “Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matters”) are subject to the discretion of the Co-Collateral Agents. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each party hereto hereby agree that for so long as Wells Fargo remains as a Co-Collateral Agent, Wells Fargo shall be entitled to consult with GE Capital on the Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matters. In the event that Wells Fargo and GE Capital cannot, after consultation, agree on any Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matter, the parties hereto agree that GE Capital shall apply the determination made by Wells Fargo to the extent that Wells Fargo’s determination (x) is a more conservative exercise of credit judgment than the determination made by GE Capital and (y) complies with any standard set forth in the Credit Agreement with respect to such Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matter. GE Capital hereby acknowledges and agrees that if, when and to the extent GE Capital, in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agent, receives any information or document reasonably necessary or desirable in Wells Fargo’s exercise of any rights set forth under the Credit Agreement in its capacity as a Co-Collateral Agent, GE Capital shall promptly forward to Wells Fargo such information or document. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Wells Fargo hereby acknowledges and agrees that GE Capital in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Co-Collateral Agent shall not be required to obtain the consent or approval of Wells Fargo in connection with any exercise of its rights or remedies under the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, except as otherwise required under the Credit Agreement.

8.14 Quebec Security. For greater certainty, and without limiting the powers of Administrative Agent hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, each of the Lenders hereby acknowledges that Administrative Agent shall, for purposes of holding any security granted by the Borrowers or any other Person on its property pursuant to the laws of the Province of Quebec to secure payment of the bonds, notes or other titles of indebtedness, be the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir) (within the meaning of the Civil Code of Quebec) for itself and all present and future Secured Parties and in particular for all present and future holders of such bonds, notes or other titles of indebtedness. Each of Administrative Agent and Lenders hereby irrevocably constitutes, to the extent necessary, Administrative Agent as the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir) (within the meaning of Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Quebec) in order to hold security granted by the Borrowers or any other Person in the Province of Quebec to secure such bonds, notes or other title of indebtedness. Each permitted assignee of the Lenders shall be deemed to have confirmed and ratified the constitution of Administrative Agent as the holder of such irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir) by execution of the relevant assignment of its interest. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 32 of An Act respecting the Special Powers of Legal

 

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Persons (Quebec), Administrative Agent may acquire and be the holder of such bonds, notes or other titles of indebtedness, as agent and pledgee for its own account and for the benefit of all Secured Parties. The execution prior to the date hereof by the Administrative Agent of any deed of hypothec or other security documents made pursuant to the laws of the Province of Quebec, is hereby ratified and confirmed. For greater certainty, the Administrative Agent, acting as the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir), shall have the same rights, powers, immunities, indemnities and exclusions from liability as are prescribed in favor of the Administrative Agent in this Agreement, which shall apply mutatis mutandis. In the event of the resignation or appointment of a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall also act as the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir).

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Amendments and Waivers.

(a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders), and the Borrowers, and then such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders directly affected thereby (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of all the Lenders directly affected thereby), in addition to Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrowers, do any of the following:

(i) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to subsection 7.2(a));

(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed for, or reduce or waive, any scheduled installment of principal or any payment of interest, fees or other amounts (other than principal) due to the Lenders (or any of them) or L/C Issuer hereunder or under any other Loan Document (for the avoidance of doubt, mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section 1.8 (other than scheduled installments under subsection 1.8(a)) may be postponed, delayed, waived or modified with the consent of Required Lenders);

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein or the amount of interest payable in cash specified herein on any Loan, or of any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including L/C Reimbursement Obligations (it being understood and agreed that any change to the definition of Excess Availability or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest); provided, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest at the rate set forth in subsection 1.3(c) during the continuance of an Event of Default;

(iv) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder;

 

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(v) amend this Section 9.1, subsection 9.11(b) or the definition of Required Lenders or any provision providing for consent or other action by all Lenders; or

(vi) discharge any Credit Party from its respective payment Obligations under the Loan Documents, or release all or substantially all of the Collateral, except as otherwise may be provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

it being agreed that all Lenders shall be deemed to be directly affected by an amendment or waiver of the type described in the preceding clauses (iv), (v) and (vi).

(b) No amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in addition to the Required Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby, as the case may be (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders or all the Lenders directly affected thereby, as the case may be), affect the rights or duties of Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. No amendment, modification or waiver of this Agreement or any Loan Document altering the ratable treatment of Obligations arising under Secured Rate Contracts resulting in such Obligations being junior in right of payment to principal on the Loans or resulting in Obligations owing to any Secured Swap Provider becoming unsecured (other than releases of Liens permitted in accordance with the terms hereof), in each case in a manner adverse to any Secured Swap Provider, shall be effective without the written consent of such Secured Swap Provider or, in the case of a Secured Rate Contract provided or arranged by GE Capital or an Affiliate of GE Capital, GE Capital.

(c) No amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by Administrative Agent and all Lenders (or by Administrative Agent with the consent of all Lenders): amend or modify the definitions of Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, U.S. Borrowing Base or Canadian Borrowing Base, including any increase in the percentage advance rates in the definitions of U.S. Borrowing Base or Canadian Borrowing Base, in a manner which would increase the availability of credit under the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1, (w) Borrowers may amend Schedules 3.19 and 3.21 upon notice to Administrative Agent, (x) Administrative Agent may amend Schedule 1.1(b) to reflect Sales entered into pursuant to Section 9.9, (y) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement, and (z) Administrative Agent and Borrowers may amend or modify this Agreement and any other Loan Document to (1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein or (2) grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties, extend an existing Lien over additional property for the benefit of the Secured Parties or join additional Persons as Credit Parties; provided, that no Accounts or Inventory of such Person shall be included as Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory until a field examination (and, if required by Administrative Agent, an Inventory appraisal) with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of Administrative Agent, including the establishment of Reserves required in the Co-Collateral Agents’ Permitted Discretion.

(e) The consent of Administrative Agent and a Bank Product Provider that is providing Bank Products and has outstanding any such Bank Products at such time that are secured hereunder shall be required for any amendment to the priority of payment of Obligations related to such Bank Products as set forth in Section 1.10.

 

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9.2 Notices.

(a) Addresses. All notices and other communications required or expressly authorized to be made by this Agreement shall be given in writing, unless otherwise expressly specified herein, and (i) addressed to the address set forth on Schedule 9.2 hereto, (ii) posted to Intralinks® (to the extent such system is available and set up by or at the direction of Administrative Agent prior to posting) in an appropriate location by uploading such notice, demand, request, direction or other communication to www.intralinks.com, faxing it to 866-545-6600 with an appropriate bar-code fax coversheet or using such other means of posting to Intralinks® as may be available and reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent prior to such posting, (iii) posted to any other E-System approved by or set up by or at the direction of Administrative Agent or (iv) addressed to such other address as shall be notified in writing (A) in the case of the Borrowers, Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender, to the other parties hereto and (B) in the case of all other parties, to the Borrower Representative and Administrative Agent. Transmissions made by electronic mail or E-Fax to Administrative Agent shall be effective only (x) for notices where such transmission is specifically authorized by this Agreement, (y) if such transmission is delivered in compliance with procedures of Administrative Agent applicable at the time and previously communicated to Borrower Representative, and (z) if receipt of such transmission is acknowledged by Administrative Agent.

(b) Effectiveness. (i) All communications described in clause (a) above and all other notices, demands, requests and other communications made in connection with this Agreement shall be effective and be deemed to have been received (i) if delivered by hand, upon personal delivery, (ii) if delivered by overnight courier service, one (1) Business Day after delivery to such courier service, (iii) if delivered by mail, three (3) Business Days after deposit in the mail, (iv) if delivered by facsimile (other than to post to an E-System pursuant to clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above), upon sender’s receipt of confirmation of proper transmission, and (v) if delivered by posting to any E-System, on the later of the Business Day of such posting and the Business Day access to such posting is given to the recipient thereof in accordance with the standard procedures applicable to such E-System; provided, however, that no communications to Administrative Agent pursuant to Article I shall be effective until received by Administrative Agent.

(ii) The posting, completion and/or submission by any Credit Party of any communication pursuant to an E System shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Credit Parties that any representation, warranty, certification or other similar statement required by the Loan Documents to be provided, given or made by a Credit Party in connection with any such communication is true, correct and complete except as expressly noted in such communication or E-System.

 

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(c) Each Lender shall notify Administrative Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to such Lender should be directed, of addresses of its Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such other administrative information as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

9.3 Electronic Transmissions.

(a) Authorization. Subject to the provisions of subsection 9.2(a), each of Administrative Agent, Lenders, each Credit Party and each of their Related Persons, is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. Each Credit Party and each Secured Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions.

(b) Signatures. Subject to the provisions of subsection 9.2(a), (i)(A) no posting to any E-System shall be denied legal effect merely because it is made electronically, (B) each E Signature on any such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “signature” and (C) each such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “writing”, in each case including pursuant to any Loan Document, any applicable provision of any UCC, the federal Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act and any substantive or procedural Requirement of Law governing such subject matter, (ii) each such posting that is not readily capable of bearing either a signature or a reproduction of a signature may be signed, and shall be deemed signed, by attaching to, or logically associating with such posting, an E-Signature, upon which Administrative Agent, each Secured Party and each Credit Party may rely and assume the authenticity thereof, (iii) each such posting containing a signature, a reproduction of a signature or an E-Signature shall, for all intents and purposes, have the same effect and weight as a signed paper original and (iv) each party hereto or beneficiary hereto agrees not to contest the validity or enforceability of any posting on any E-System or E-Signature on any such posting under the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law requiring certain documents to be in writing or signed; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit such party’s or beneficiary’s right to contest whether any posting to any E-System or E-Signature has been altered after transmission.

(c) Separate Agreements. All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to Section 9.2 and this Section 9.3, the separate terms, conditions and privacy policy posted or referenced in such E-System (or such terms, conditions and privacy policy as may be updated from time to time, including on such E-System) and related Contractual Obligations executed by Administrative Agent and Credit Parties in connection with the use of such E-System.

(d) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. ALL E-SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NONE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS WARRANTS THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THEREIN. NO WARRANTY

 

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OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY E SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. Each of each Borrower, each other Credit Party executing this Agreement and each Secured Party agrees that Administrative Agent has no responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System.

9.4 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender, 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. No course of dealing between any Credit Party, any Affiliate of any Credit Party, Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

9.5 Costs and Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, any action taken by any Credit Party under or with respect to any Loan Document, even if required under any Loan Document or at the request of any Agent or Required Lenders, shall be at the expense of such Credit Party, and no Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required under any Loan Document to reimburse any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party therefor except as expressly provided therein. In addition, the Credit Parties, jointly and severally (but subject to Section 11.5), agree to pay or reimburse upon demand (a) each Agent and each Arranger for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Person or any of its Related Persons, in connection with the investigation, development, preparation, negotiation, syndication, execution, interpretation or administration of, any modification of any term of or termination of, any Loan Document, any commitment or proposal letter therefor, any other document prepared in connection therewith or the consummation and administration of any transaction contemplated therein, in each case including Attorney Costs of such Person (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one U.S. counsel and one general Canadian counsel (and its extra-provincial agents, where required) to such Indemnified Persons taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction and of one special counsel to all such persons, taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, additional local and special counsel to all similarly affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole)), the cost of environmental audits, Collateral audits and appraisals, background checks and similar expenses, (b) each L/C Issuer for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (c) each Co-Collateral Agent for all costs and expenses incurred by it or any of its Related Persons in connection with internal audit reviews, field examinations and Collateral examinations (which shall be reimbursed, in addition to the out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such examiners, at the per diem rate per individual charged by such Co-Collateral Agent for its examiners) and (d) each Agent, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Related Persons for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided

 

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hereunder in the nature of a “work-out”, (ii) the enforcement or preservation of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, any Obligation, with respect to the Collateral or any other related right or remedy or (iii) the commencement, defense, conduct of, intervention in, or the taking of any other action with respect to, any proceeding (including any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) related to any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, Loan Document, Obligation or Transaction (or the response to and preparation for any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), including Attorney Costs.

9.6 Indemnity.

(a) Each Credit Party agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Agent, each Lender, each Arranger, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Related Persons (each such Person being an “Indemnitee”) from and against all Liabilities (including brokerage commissions, fees and other compensation) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of (i) any Loan Document, the Transactions, any Obligation (or the repayment thereof), any Letter of Credit, the use or intended use of the proceeds of any Loan or the use of any Letter of Credit or any securities filing of, or with respect to, any Credit Party, (ii) any commitment letter, proposal letter or term sheet with any Person or any Contractual Obligation, arrangement or understanding with any broker, finder or consultant, in each case entered into by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any of them in connection with any of the foregoing and any Contractual Obligation entered into in connection with any E-Systems or other Electronic Transmissions, (iii) any actual or prospective investigation, litigation or other proceeding, whether or not brought by any such Indemnitee or any of its Related Persons, any holders of securities or creditors (and including Attorneys Costs in any case, but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one U.S. counsel and one general Canadian counsel (and its extra-provincial agents, where required) to such Indemnified Persons taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel to all affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction and of one special counsel to all such persons, taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, additional local and special counsel to all similarly affected Indemnified Persons taken as a whole), any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party, or any third person, whether or not any such Indemnitee, Related Person, holder, creditor, Credit Party, Affiliate of a Credit Party, or third person is a party thereto, and whether or not based on any securities or commercial law or regulation or any other Requirement of Law or theory thereof, including common law, equity, contract, tort or otherwise or (iv) any other act, event or transaction related, contemplated in or attendant to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Indemnified Matters”); provided, however, that no Credit Party shall have any liability under this Section 9.6 to any Indemnitee with respect to any Indemnified Matter to the extent such liability has resulted primarily from (A) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order or (B) any dispute solely among Indemnitees, other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role Administrative Agent or Arranger or any similar role under this Agreement, and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of Axiall or any of its Affiliates. Furthermore, each Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert against any Indemnitee, and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and not assert against any Indemnitee, any right of contribution with respect to any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Related Person.

 

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Under no circumstances shall any Indemnitee be liable to any Credit Party or any Affiliate of a Credit Party for any punitive, exemplary, consequential or indirect damages which may be alleged in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, “Indemnified Matters” includes all Environmental Liabilities, including those arising from, or otherwise involving, any property of any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party or any actual, alleged or prospective damage to property or natural resources or harm or injury alleged to have resulted from any Release of Hazardous Materials on, upon or into such property or natural resource or any property on or contiguous to any Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Related Person or any Credit Party, whether or not, with respect to any such Environmental Liabilities, any Indemnitee is a mortgagee pursuant to any leasehold mortgage, a mortgagee in possession, the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party or the owner, lessee or operator of any property of any Related Person through any foreclosure action, in each case except to the extent such Environmental Liabilities (i) are incurred solely following foreclosure by Administrative Agent or following Administrative Agent or any Lender having become the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party and (ii) are attributable solely to acts of such Indemnitee.

9.7 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. No Secured Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any property in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any Obligation. To the extent that any Secured Party receives a payment from a Borrower, from any other Credit Party, from the proceeds of the Collateral, from the exercise of its rights of setoff, any enforcement action or otherwise, and such payment is subsequently, in whole or in part, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not occurred.

9.8 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, that any assignment by any Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.9, and provided, further, that no Borrower may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any purported assignment or transfer without such consents shall be null and void).

9.9 Assignments and Participations; Binding Effect.

(a) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrowers, the other Credit Parties signatory hereto and Administrative Agent and when Administrative Agent shall have been notified by each Lender and the initial L/C Issuer that such Lender or L/C Issuer has executed it. Thereafter, it shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, but only to the benefit of, the Borrowers, the other Credit Parties hereto (in each case except for Article VIII), Administrative Agent, each Lender and each L/C Issuer receiving the benefits of the Loan Documents and, to the extent provided in Section 8.11, each other Secured Party, each of the Indemnitees and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in any Loan Document (including in Section 8.9), none of the Borrowers, any other Credit Party, any L/C Issuer or Administrative Agent shall have the right to assign any rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein.

 

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(b) Right to Assign. Each Lender may sell, transfer, negotiate or assign (a “Sale”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations hereunder (including all or a portion of its Commitments and its rights and obligations with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit) to (i) any existing Lender, (ii) any Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender or (iii) any other Person (other than a Credit Party or an Affiliate of a Credit Party) acceptable (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to Administrative Agent and each L/C Issuer that is a Lender and, as long as no Event of Default is continuing, the Borrower Representative (which acceptances shall be deemed to have been given unless an objection is delivered to Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after notice of a proposed sale is delivered to Borrower Representative) (it being understood that GE Capital may sell a portion of its Commitments to other entities for which GE Capital and its affiliates have agreed to service and manage those Commitments without any such acceptance from Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or the Borrower Representative); provided, however, that (v) such Sales must be ratable among the obligations owing to and owed by such Lender with respect to the Revolving Loans, (w) for each Loan, the aggregate outstanding principal amount (determined as of the effective date of the applicable Assignment) of the Loans, Commitments and Letter of Credit Obligations subject to any such Sale shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, unless such Sale is made to an existing Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender, is of the assignor’s (together with its Affiliates and Approved Funds) entire interest in such facility or is made with the prior consent of the Borrower Representative (to the extent required) and Administrative Agent, (x) such Sales shall be effective only upon the acknowledgement in writing of such Sale by Administrative Agent, (y) interest accrued prior to and through the date of any such Sale may not be assigned, and (z) such Sales by Non-Funding Lenders shall be subject to Administrative Agent’s and the Borrower Representative’s prior written consent in all instances (such consent by the Borrower Representative not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Administrative Agent’s refusal to accept a Sale to (a) a holder of Subordinated Indebtedness or an Affiliate of such a holder or (b) any Person that cannot (either directly or through an Applicable Designee) lend to the Canadian Borrower, or the imposition of conditions or limitations (including limitations on voting) upon Sales to such Persons, in each case, shall not be deemed to be unreasonable. In no event shall any Sale of all or a portion of any Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder (including all or a portion of its Commitments and its rights and obligations with respect to Loans and Letters of Credit) to a Credit Party or an Affiliate of a Credit Party be permitted.

(c) Procedure. The parties to each Sale made in reliance on clause (b) above (other than those described in clause (e) or (f) below) shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment via an electronic settlement system designated by Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with Administrative Agent, via a manual execution and delivery of the Assignment) evidencing such Sale, together with any existing Note subject to such Sale (or any affidavit of loss therefor acceptable to Administrative Agent), any tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 10.1 and payment of an assignment fee in the amount of $3,500 to Administrative Agent, unless waived or reduced by Administrative Agent; provided, that (i) if a Sale by a Lender is made to an Affiliate or an Approved Fund of such assigning Lender, then no assignment fee shall be due in connection with such Sale, and (ii) if a Sale by a Lender is made to an assignee that is not an Affiliate or Approved Fund of such assignor Lender, and concurrently to one or more Affiliates or Approved Funds of such Assignee, then only one assignment fee of

 

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$3,500 shall be due in connection with such Sale (unless waived or reduced by Administrative Agent). Upon receipt of all the foregoing, and conditioned upon such receipt and, if such Assignment is made in accordance with clause (iii) of subsection 9.9(b), upon Administrative Agent (and the Borrower, if applicable) consenting to such Assignment, from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment, Administrative Agent shall record or cause to be recorded in the Register the information contained in such Assignment.

(d) Effectiveness. Subject to the recording of an Assignment by Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to subsection 1.4(b), (i) the assignee thereunder shall become a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations under the Loan Documents have been assigned to such assignee pursuant to such Assignment, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender, (ii) any applicable Note shall be transferred to such assignee through such entry and (iii) the assignor thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations under this Agreement have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment, relinquish its rights (except for those surviving the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the Obligations) and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, other than those relating to events or circumstances occurring prior to such assignment (and, in the case of an Assignment covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

(e) Grant of Security Interests. In addition to the other rights provided in this Section 9.9, each Lender may grant a security interest in, or otherwise assign as collateral, any of its rights under this Agreement, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including rights to payments of principal or interest on the Loans), to (A) any federal reserve bank (pursuant to Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board), without notice to Administrative Agent or (B) any holder of, or trustee for the benefit of the holders of, such Lender’s Indebtedness or equity securities, by notice to Administrative Agent; provided, however, that no such holder or trustee, whether because of such grant or assignment or any foreclosure thereon (unless such foreclosure is made through an assignment in accordance with clause (b) above), shall be entitled to any rights of such Lender hereunder and no such Lender shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder.

(f) Participants and SPVs. In addition to the other rights provided in this Section 9.9, each Lender may, (x) with notice to Administrative Agent, grant to an SPV the option to make all or any part of any Loan that such Lender would otherwise be required to make hereunder (and the exercise of such option by such SPV and the making of Loans pursuant thereto shall satisfy the obligation of such Lender to make such Loans hereunder) and such SPV may assign to such Lender the right to receive payment with respect to any Obligation and (y) without notice to or consent from Administrative Agent or the Borrowers, sell participations to one or more Persons in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents (including all its rights and obligations with respect to the Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit); provided, however, that, whether as a result of any term of any Loan Document or of such grant or participation, (i) no such SPV or participant shall have a commitment, or be deemed to have made an offer to commit, to make Loans hereunder, and, except as provided in the applicable option agreement, none shall be liable for any obligation of such Lender hereunder, (ii) such Lender’s rights and obligations, and the rights and obligations of the Credit Parties and the Secured Parties towards such Lender, under any Loan Document shall remain unchanged and each other party hereto shall continue to deal solely with such Lender, which shall remain the holder of the Obligations in the Register, except that (A) each such

 

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participant and SPV shall be entitled to the benefit of Article X, but, with respect to Section 10.1, only to the extent such participant or SPV delivers the tax forms such Lender is required to collect pursuant to subsection 10.1(f) and then only to the extent of any amount to which such Lender would be entitled in the absence of any such grant or participation and (B) each such SPV may receive other payments that would otherwise be made to such Lender with respect to Loans funded by such SPV to the extent provided in the applicable option agreement and set forth in a notice provided to Administrative Agent by such SPV and such Lender, provided, however, that in no case (including pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above) shall an SPV or participant have the right to enforce any of the terms of any Loan Document, and (iii) the consent of such SPV or participant shall not be required (either directly, as a restraint on such Lender’s ability to consent hereunder or otherwise) for any amendments, waivers or consents with respect to any Loan Document or to exercise or refrain from exercising any powers or rights such Lender may have under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including the right to enforce or direct enforcement of the Obligations), except for those described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection 9.1(a) with respect to amounts, or dates fixed for payment of amounts, to which such participant or SPV would otherwise be entitled and, in the case of participants, except for those described in clause (vi) of subsection 9.1(a). No party hereto shall institute (and each Borrower shall cause each other Credit Party not to institute) against any SPV grantee of an option pursuant to this clause (f) any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper of such SPV; provided, however, that each Lender having designated an SPV as such agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against any Liability that may be incurred by, or asserted against, such Indemnitee as a result of failing to institute such proceeding (including a failure to get reimbursed by such SPV for any such Liability). The agreement in the preceding sentence shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the Obligations.

9.10 Non-Public Information; Confidentiality.

(a) Non-Public Information. Administrative Agent, each Lender and L/C Issuer acknowledges and agrees that it may receive material non-public information (“MNPI”) hereunder concerning the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and agrees to use such information in compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and applicable Requirements of Laws (including United States federal and state security laws and regulations).

(b) Confidential Information. Each Lender, L/C Issuer and each Agent agrees to use all reasonable efforts to maintain, in accordance with its customary practices, the confidentiality of information obtained by it pursuant to any Loan Document and designated in writing by any Credit Party as confidential, except that such information may be disclosed (i) with the Borrower Representative’s consent, (ii) to Related Persons of such Lender, L/C Issuer or Agent, as the case may be, or to any Person that any L/C Issuer causes to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, that are advised of the confidential nature of such information, are instructed to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms hereof and such Person agrees to be bound by the confidentiality provisions set forth herein, (iii) to the extent such information presently is or hereafter becomes (A) publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.10 or (B) available to such Lender, L/C Issuer or Agent or any of their Related Persons, as the case may be, from a source (other than any Credit Party) not known by them to be subject to disclosure restrictions, (iv) to the extent disclosure is required by applicable Requirements of Law or other legal process or requested or demanded by any Governmental Authority, (v) to the extent necessary or customary for inclusion in league table measurements, (vi) (A) to the National

 

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Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization, any examiner or any nationally recognized rating agency or (B) otherwise to the extent consisting of general portfolio information that does not identify Credit Parties, (vii) to current or prospective assignees, SPVs (including the investors or prospective investors therein) or participants, direct or contractual counterparties to any Secured Rate Contracts and to their respective Related Persons, in each case to the extent such assignees, investors, participants, counterparties or Related Persons agree to be bound by provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section 9.10 (and such Person may disclose information to their respective Related Persons in accordance with clause (ii) above), (viii) to any other party hereto, and (ix) in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, in connection with any litigation or other proceeding to which such Lender, L/C Issuer or Agent or any of their Related Persons is a party or bound, or to the extent necessary to respond to public statements or disclosures by Credit Parties or their Related Persons referring to a Lender, L/C Issuer or Agent or any of their Related Persons. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 9.10 and those of any other Contractual Obligation entered into with any Credit Party (whether or not a Loan Document), the terms of this Section 9.10 shall govern.

(c) Tombstones. Each Credit Party consents to the publication by any Agent or any Lender of advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using any Credit Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark. Such Agent or such Lender shall provide a draft of any advertising material to Borrower Representative for review and comment prior to the publication thereof.

(d) Press Release and Related Matters. No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or other public disclosure (other than any document filed with any Governmental Authority relating to a public offering of securities of any Credit Party) using the name, logo or otherwise referring to GE Capital or of any of its Affiliates, the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated therein to which Administrative Agent is party without the prior consent of GE Capital except to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law (including in any document filed with any Governmental Authority describing the financing provided hereunder).

(e) Distribution of Materials to Lenders and L/C Issuers. The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the Loan Documents and all reports, notices, communications and other information or materials provided or delivered by, or on behalf of, the Credit Parties hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) may be disseminated by, or on behalf of, Administrative Agent, and made available, to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers by posting such Borrower Materials on an E-System. The Credit Parties authorize Administrative Agent to download copies of their logos from its website and post copies thereof on an E-System.

(f) Material Non-Public Information. The Credit Parties hereby agree that if either they, any parent company or any Subsidiary of the Credit Parties has publicly traded equity or debt securities in the U.S., they shall (and shall cause such parent company or Subsidiary, as the case may be, to) (i) identify in writing, and (ii) to the extent reasonably practicable, clearly and conspicuously mark such Borrower Materials that contain only information that is publicly available or that is not material for purposes of U.S. federal and state securities laws as “PUBLIC”. The Credit Parties agree that by identifying such Borrower Materials as “PUBLIC” or publicly filing such Borrower Materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission, then Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers shall be entitled to treat such Borrower

 

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Materials as not containing any MNPI for purposes of U.S. federal and state securities laws. The Credit Parties further represent, warrant, acknowledge and agree that the following documents and materials shall be deemed to be PUBLIC, whether or not so marked, and do not contain any MNPI: (A) the Loan Documents, including the schedules and exhibits attached thereto, and (B) administrative materials of a customary nature prepared by the Credit Parties or Administrative Agent (including, Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion/Continuation, L/C Requests, Swingline requests and any similar requests or notices posted on or through an E-System). Before distribution of any Borrower Materials, the Credit Parties agree to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent a letter authorizing distribution of the evaluation materials to prospective Lenders and their employees willing to receive MNPI, and a separate letter authorizing distribution of evaluation materials that do not contain MNPI and represent that no MNPI is contained therein.

(g) Participant Register. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

9.11 Set-off; Sharing of Payments.

(a) Right of Setoff. Each of Administrative Agent, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each Affiliate (including each branch office thereof) of any of them is hereby authorized, without notice or demand (each of which is hereby waived by each Credit Party), at any time and from time to time during the continuance of any Event of Default and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (whether general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness, claims or other obligations at any time owing by Administrative Agent, such Lender, such L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party against any Obligation of any Credit Party now or hereafter existing, whether or not any demand was made under any Loan Document with respect to such Obligation and even though such Obligation may be unmatured. Each of Administrative Agent, each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees promptly to notify the Borrower Representative and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender or its Affiliates; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. The rights under this Section 9.11 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, their Affiliates and the other Secured Parties, may have.

 

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(b) Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Lender (other than any L/C Issuer, solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer), directly or through an Affiliate or branch office thereof, obtains any payment of any Obligation of any Credit Party (whether voluntary, involuntary or through the exercise of any right of setoff or the receipt of any Collateral or “proceeds” (as defined under the applicable UCC or the applicable PPSA in the case of Canadian Collateral) of Collateral) other than pursuant to Section 9.9 or Article X and such payment exceeds the amount such Lender would have been entitled to receive if all payments had gone to, and been distributed by, Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, such Lender shall purchase for cash from other Lenders such participations in their Obligations as necessary for such Lender to share such excess payment with such Lenders to ensure such payment is applied as though it had been received by Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with this Agreement (or, if such application would then be at the discretion of the Borrowers, applied to repay the Obligations in accordance herewith); provided, however, that (a) if such payment is rescinded or otherwise recovered from such Lender in whole or in part, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price therefor shall be returned to such Lender without interest and (b) such Lender shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be able to exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of setoff) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the applicable Credit Party in the amount of such participation. If a Non-Funding Lender receives any such payment as described in the previous sentence, such Lender shall turn over such payments to Administrative Agent in an amount that would satisfy the cash collateral requirements set forth in subsection 1.11(b).

9.12 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or Electronic Transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.13 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

9.14 Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

9.15 Independence of Provisions. The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

9.16 Interpretation. This Agreement is the result of negotiations among and has been reviewed by counsel to Credit Parties, Administrative Agent, each Lender and other parties hereto, and is the product of all parties hereto. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be construed against the Lenders or Administrative Agent merely because of Administrative Agent’s or Lenders’ involvement in the preparation of such documents and agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto has had the advice of counsel with respect to Sections 9.18 and 9.19.

 

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9.17 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers party hereto, the Agents and, subject to the provisions of Section 8.11, each other Secured Party, and their permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. No Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to any Person not a party to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

9.18 Governing Law and Jurisdiction.

(a) Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern all matters arising out of, in connection with or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement.

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to any Loan Document shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the State of New York located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts; provided, that nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of Administrative Agent to commence any proceeding in the federal or state courts of any other jurisdiction to the extent Administrative Agent determines that such action is necessary or appropriate to exercise its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto (and, to the extent set forth in any other Loan Document, each other Credit Party) hereby irrevocably waive any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, that any of them may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such jurisdictions.

(c) Service of Process. Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and other documents and other service of process of any kind and consents to such service in any suit, action or proceeding brought in the United States of America or Canada with respect to or otherwise arising out of or in connection with any Loan Document by any means permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, including by the mailing thereof (by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) to the address of the Borrowers specified herein (and shall be effective when such mailing shall be effective, as provided therein). Each Credit Party 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.

(d) Non-Exclusive Jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this Section 9.18 shall affect the right of Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Requirements of Law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any Credit Party in any other jurisdiction.

 

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9.19 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.

9.20 Entire Agreement; Release; Survival.

(a) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF AND ANY PRIOR LETTER OF INTEREST, COMMITMENT LETTER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND SIMILAR AGREEMENTS INVOLVING ANY CREDIT PARTY AND ANY LENDER OR ANY L/C ISSUER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES RELATING TO A FINANCING OF SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM, PURPOSE OR EFFECT OTHER THAN THE FEE LETTERS. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN (UNLESS SUCH TERMS OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, IN WHICH CASE SUCH TERMS SHALL GOVERN TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO COMPLY THEREWITH).

(b) Execution of this Agreement by the Credit Parties constitutes a full, complete and irrevocable release of any and all claims which each Credit Party may have at law or in equity in respect of all prior discussions and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings). Each of each Borrower and each other Credit Party signatory hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive, release and agree) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

(c) (i) Any indemnification or other protection provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 9.20, Sections 9.5 (Costs and Expenses) and 9.6 (Indemnity) and Articles VIII (Administrative Agent) and X (Taxes, Yield Protection and Illegality), and (ii) the provisions of Section 8.1 of the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement, in each case, shall (x) survive the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of all other Obligations and (y) with respect to clause (i) above, inure to the benefit of any Person that at any time held a right thereunder (as an Indemnitee or otherwise) and, thereafter, its successors and permitted assigns.

9.21 Patriot Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

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9.22 Replacement of Lender. Within forty-five days after: (i) receipt by the Borrower Representative of written notice and demand from any Lender that is not Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of Administrative Agent (an “Affected Lender”) for payment of indemnified taxes or additional costs as provided in Sections 10.1, 10.3 and/or 10.6; or (ii) any failure by any Lender (other than Administrative Agent) to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to any Loan Document in which Required Lenders have already consented to such amendment, waiver or modification but the consent of each Lender (or each Lender directly affected thereby, as applicable) is required with respect thereto, the Borrowers may, at their option, notify Administrative Agent and such Affected Lender or such non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, of the Borrowers’ intention to obtain, at the Borrowers’ expense, a replacement Lender (“Replacement Lender”) for such Affected Lender or such non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, which Replacement Lender shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. In the event the Borrowers obtain a Replacement Lender within sixty (60) days following notice of its intention to do so, the Affected Lender or non-consenting Lender, as the case may be, shall sell and assign its Loans and Commitments to such Replacement Lender, at par, provided that the Borrowers have reimbursed such Affected Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment. In the event that a replaced Lender does not execute an Assignment pursuant to Section 9.9 within five (5) Business Days after receipt by such replaced Lender of notice of replacement pursuant to this Section 9.22 and presentation to such replaced Lender of an Assignment evidencing an assignment pursuant to this Section 9.22, the Borrowers shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute such an Assignment on behalf of such replaced Lender, and any such Assignment so executed by the Borrowers, the Replacement Lender and Administrative Agent, shall be effective for purposes of this Section 9.22 and Section 9.9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Lender that is a Non-Funding Lender, the Borrowers or Administrative Agent may obtain a Replacement Lender and execute an Assignment on behalf of such Non-Funding Lender at any time and without prior notice to such Non-Funding Lender and cause its Loans and Commitments to be sold and assigned at par. Upon any such assignment and payment and compliance with the other provisions of Section 9.9, such replaced Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided, any rights of such replaced Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive.

9.23 [Reserved].

9.24 Creditor-Debtor Relationship. The relationship between Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, on the one hand, and the Credit Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor. No Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Credit Party arising out of or in connection with, and there is no agency, tenancy or joint venture relationship between the Secured Parties and the Credit Parties by virtue of, any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.

9.25 Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of each Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with

 

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the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to Administrative Agent or any Lender from any Borrower in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

9.26 Actions in Concert. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights against any Credit Party arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including exercising any rights of setoff) without first obtaining the prior written consent of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders, it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Administrative Agent or Required Lenders.

ARTICLE X.

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

10.1 Taxes.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.1, each payment by any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority and all liabilities with respect thereto (and without deduction for any of them) other than Excluded Taxes (collectively, but excluding Excluded Taxes, the “Taxes”).

(b) If any Taxes shall be required by law to be deducted from or in respect of any amount payable by any Credit Party under any Loan Document to any Secured Party (i) such amount shall be increased as necessary to ensure that, after all required deductions for Taxes are made (including deductions applicable to any increases to any amount under this Section 10.1), such Secured Party receives the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the relevant Credit Party shall make such deductions, (iii) the relevant Credit Party shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iv) within 30 days after such payment is made, the relevant Credit Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent an original or certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; provided, however, that no such increase shall be made with respect to, and no Credit Party shall be required to indemnify any Secured Party pursuant to clause (d) below for, (x) withholding taxes to the extent that the obligation to withhold amounts existed on the date that such Person became a “Secured Party” under this Agreement in the capacity under which such Person makes a claim under this clause (b) or clause (d) below, designates a new Lending

 

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Office or experiences a change in circumstances (other than a change in a Requirement of Law), except in each case to the extent such Person is a direct or indirect assignee (other than pursuant to Section 9.22) of any other Secured Party that was entitled, at the time the assignment to such Person became effective, or such Secured Party was entitled at the time of designation of a new Lending Office or change in circumstances, to receive additional amounts under this clause (b) or clause (d) below, or (y) any United States backup withholding tax required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Secured Party that is subject to backup withholding due to (A) notified payee underreporting of reportable interest or dividend payments or other reportable payments or (B) the IRS notifying Administrative Agent or Borrower that the furnished taxpayer identification number is incorrect.

(c) In addition, the Applicable Borrower agrees to pay, and authorize Administrative Agent to pay in their name, any stamp, documentary, excise or property tax, charges or similar levies imposed by any applicable Requirement of Law or Governmental Authority and all Liabilities with respect thereto (including by reason of any delay in payment thereof), in each case arising from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein (collectively, “Other Taxes”). The Swingline Lender may, without any need for notice, demand or consent from the Applicable Borrower or the Borrower Representative, by making funds available to Administrative Agent in the amount equal to any such payment, make a Swing Loan to the Applicable Borrower in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be used by Administrative Agent in whole to make such payment. Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Other Taxes by any Credit Party, the Applicable Borrower shall furnish to Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 9.2, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

(d) The Applicable Borrower shall reimburse and indemnify, within 30 days after receipt of demand therefor (with copy to Administrative Agent), each Secured Party for all Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 10.1) paid by such Secured Party and any Liabilities arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. A certificate of the Secured Party (or of Administrative Agent on behalf of such Secured Party) claiming any compensation under this clause (d), setting forth the amounts to be paid thereunder and delivered to the Borrower Representative with copy to Administrative Agent, shall be conclusive, binding and final for all purposes, absent manifest error. In determining such amount, Administrative Agent and such Secured Party may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(e) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 10.1 shall use its commercially reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and Requirements of Law) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office if such a change would reduce any such additional amounts (or any similar amount that may thereafter accrue) and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

(f) (i) Each Non-U.S. Lender Party that, at any of the following times, is entitled to an exemption from United States withholding tax or is subject to such withholding tax at a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty, shall (w) on or prior to the date such Non-U.S. Lender Party becomes a “Non-U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (x) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (y) after the occurrence of any event

 

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requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (i) and (z) from time to time if requested by the Borrower Representative or Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) with two completed and signed originals of each of the following, as applicable: (A) Forms W-8ECI (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding tax because the income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), W-8BEN (claiming exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty) and/or W-8IMY (together with appropriate forms, certifications and supporting statements) or any successor forms, (B) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender Party claiming exemption under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, Form W-8BEN (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the portfolio interest exemption) or any successor form and a certificate in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent that such Non-U.S. Lender Party is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Applicable Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code or (C) any other applicable document prescribed by the IRS certifying as to the entitlement of such Non-U.S. Lender Party to such exemption from United States withholding tax or reduced rate with respect to all payments to be made to such Non-U.S. Lender Party under the Loan Documents. Unless the Borrower Representative and Administrative Agent have received forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Non-U.S. Lender Party are not subject to United States withholding tax or are subject to such tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty, the Credit Parties and Administrative Agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable Requirements of Law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

(ii) Each U.S. Lender Party (other than a U.S. Lender Party that is an exempt recipient under Treasury Regulation § 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)) shall (A) on or prior to the date such U.S. Lender Party becomes a “U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (B) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (C) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (f) and (D) from time to time if requested by the Borrower Representative or Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) with two completed originals of Form W-9 (certifying that such U.S. Lender Party is entitled to an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax) or any successor form.

(iii) Each Lender having sold a participation in any of its Obligations or identified an SPV as such to Administrative Agent shall collect from such participant or SPV the documents described in this clause (f) and provide them to Administrative Agent.

(g) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Axiall and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Axiall or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Axiall or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary

 

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for Axiall and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(h) If any Secured Party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified hereunder (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 10.1), it shall pay to the applicable Credit Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made hereunder with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such Secured Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such Credit Party, upon the request of such Secured Party, shall repay to such Secured Party the amount paid over pursuant to this clause (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Secured Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (h), in no event will such Secured Party be required to pay any amount to a Credit Party pursuant to this clause (h) the payment of which would place such Secured Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Secured Party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This clause (h) shall not be construed to require any Secured Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party or any other Person.

10.2 Illegality. If after the date hereof (a) any Lender shall determine that the introduction of any Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or administration thereof, has made it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or (b) any Lender determines in good faith (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that (i) it has become impracticable as a result of a circumstance that adversely affects the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in such market to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans, then, in each case, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through Administrative Agent, the obligation of that Lender to make LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender shall have notified Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exists.

(a) Subject to clause (c) below, if any Lender shall determine that it is unlawful to maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, the Applicable Borrower shall prepay in full all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans, together with any amounts required to be paid in connection therewith pursuant to Section 10.4.

(b) If the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans has been terminated, the Borrower Representative may elect, by giving notice to such Lender

 

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through Administrative Agent that all Loans which would otherwise be made by any such Lender as LIBOR Rate Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable.

(c) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 10.2 shall use its reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its applicable lending office if the making of such a change would avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, any such additional amounts that would be payable or may thereafter accrue and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

10.3 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.

(a) If any Lender or L/C Issuer shall reasonably determine that either (i) the introduction of, or any change in, or in the interpretation of, any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) subsequent to the date hereof, (A) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement pursuant to Section 10.6) or L/C Issuer; (B) subject any Lender or any L/C Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever other than any Excluded Taxes with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or such L/C Issuer in respect thereof (notwithstanding the foregoing, Taxes, Other Taxes and Excluded Taxes are covered exclusively by Section 10.1); or (C) impose on any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement, 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 such L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received by such Lender or such L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then the applicable Borrower shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, within thirty (30) days of demand therefor by such Lender or L/C Issuer (with a copy of such demand to Administrative Agent), pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or L/C Issuer, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Lender or L/C Issuer for such increased costs; provided, that the applicable Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender or L/C Issuer pursuant to this subsection 10.3(a) for any increased costs incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer notifies the Borrower Representative, in writing of the increased costs and of such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided, further, that if the circumstance giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(b) If any Lender or L/C Issuer shall have determined that:

(i) the introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

 

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(ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof; or

(iv) compliance by such Lender or L/C Issuer (or its Lending Office) or any entity controlling the Lender or L/C Issuer, with any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or L/C Issuer or any entity controlling such Lender or L/C Issuer and (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such entities’ policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its Commitment(s), loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, within thirty (30) days of demand of such Lender or L/C Issuer (with a copy to Administrative Agent), the Applicable Borrower shall pay to such Lender or L/C Issuer, from time to time as specified by such Lender or L/C Issuer, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or L/C Issuer (or the entity controlling the Lender or L/C Issuer) for such increase; provided, that the Applicable Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender or L/C Issuer pursuant to this subsection 10.3(b) for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer notifies the Borrower Representative, in writing of the amounts and of such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided, further, that if the event giving rise to such increase is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to have occurred after the date hereof regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

10.4 Funding Losses. Each Borrower agrees to reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

(a) the failure of such Borrower to make any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan (including payments made after any acceleration thereof);

(b) the failure of such Borrower to borrow, continue or convert a Loan after the Borrower Representative has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

(c) the failure of such Borrower to make any prepayment after the Borrower Representative has given a notice in accordance with Section 1.7;

 

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(d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 1.8) of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day which is not the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto; or

(e) the conversion pursuant to Section 1.6 of any LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable, on a day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. Solely for purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Applicable Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 10.4 and under subsection 10.3(a): each LIBOR Rate Loan made by a Lender (and each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the interest rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank Eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

10.5 Inability to Determine Rates. If Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or that the LIBOR applicable pursuant to subsection 1.3(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding or maintaining such Loan, Administrative Agent will forthwith give notice of such determination to the Borrower Representative and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder shall be suspended until Administrative Agent revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower Representative may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Borrower Representative does not revoke such notice, the Lenders shall make, convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by the Borrower Representative, in the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Borrower Representative, but such Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate Loans or Canadian Index Rate Loans, as applicable.

10.6 Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans. The Applicable Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional costs on the unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Loan equal to actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan provided the Borrower Representative shall have received at least fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice (with a copy to Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from the Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be payable fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice.

10.7 Certificates of Lenders. Any Lender claiming reimbursement or compensation pursuant to this Article X shall deliver to the Borrower Representative (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lender hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers in the absence of manifest error.

 

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ARTICLE XI.

DEFINITIONS

11.1 Defined Terms. The following terms are defined in the Sections or subsections referenced opposite such terms:

 

2013 Indenture

  

Preamble

Accession Agreement

  

1.15(a)

Affected Lender

  

9.22

Administrative Agent Report

  

8.5(c)

Aggregate Excess Funding Amount

  

1.1(b)

Agreement

  

Preamble

Agreement Currency

  

9.25

Axiall

  

Preamble

Borrower” and “Borrowers

  

Preamble

Borrower Materials

  

9.10(e)

Borrower Notice

  

2.1(g)

Borrower Representative

  

1.12

Canadian Borrower

  

Preamble

Canadian L/C Sublimit

  

1.1(b)

Canadian Letter of Credit

  

1.1(b)

Canadian Overadvance

  

1.1(a)

Canadian Revolving Loan

  

1.1(a)

Canadian Swing Loan

  

1.1(c)

Cash Dominion Grace Period

  

Definition of Cash Dominion Period

Co-Collateral Agent Discretionary Matters

  

8.13

Eligible Accounts

  

1.13

Eligible Inventory

  

1.14

Event of Default

  

7.1

Evidence of Flood Insurance

  

2.1(g)

Financial Covenant Trigger Event

  

6.1

Flood Determination Form

  

2.1(g)

GE Capital

  

Preamble

Increase Effective Date

  

1.15(a)

Increasing Lenders

  

1.15(a)

Incremental Facility

  

1.15(a)

Indemnified Matters

  

9.6

Indemnitee

  

9.6

Initial Borrowings

  

1.15(a)

Intercompany Notes

  

5.1(b)

Investments

  

5.4

Judgment Currency

  

9.25

L/C Reimbursement Agreement

  

1.1(b)

L/C Reimbursement Date

  

1.1(b)

L/C Request

  

1.1(b)

L/C Sublimit

  

1.1(b)

 

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Lender

  

Preamble

Letter of Credit Fee

  

1.9(c)

Letter of Credit Fronting Fee

  

1.9(d)

Maximum Lawful Rate

  

1.3(d)

MNPI

  

9.10(a)

Notice of Conversion/Continuation

  

1.6(a)

OFAC

  

3.28(a)

Overadvance

  

1.1(a)

Other Lender

  

1.11(e)

Other Taxes

  

10.1(c)

Participant Register

  

9.9(g)

Permitted Liens

  

5.1

PPG

  

Preamble

PPG Acquisition

  

Preamble

PPG Entities

  

Preamble

PPG Merger Agreement

  

Preamble

Prior ABL Credit Agreement

  

Preamble

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Commitments

  

Preamble

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lenders

  

Preamble

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Loans

  

Preamble

Register

  

1.4(b)

Restricted Payments

  

5.11

Replacement Lender

  

9.22

Revolving Loan Commitment

  

1.1(a)

Revolving Loan

  

1.1(a)

Sale

  

9.9(b)

SDN List

  

3.28(a)

Settlement Date

  

1.11(b)

Subject Transaction

  

6.1

Subsequent Borrowings

  

1.15(a)

Swingline Request

  

1.1(c)

Swing Loan

  

1.1(c)

Tax Returns

  

3.10

Taxes

  

10.1(a)

Transactions

  

Preamble

Term Loan Agreement

  

Preamble

Upsize ABL Commitments

  

Preamble

U.S. Borrowers

  

Preamble

U.S. Letter of Credit

  

1.1(b)

U.S. Overadvance

  

1.1(a)

U.S. Revolving Loan

  

1.1(a)

U.S. Swing Loan

  

1.1(c)

Wells Fargo

  

Preamble

 

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In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

ABL Priority Collateral” means, collectively, (i) the Revolving Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), (ii) the Canadian Collateral and (iii) the Additional Pledged Stock (as defined in the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement).

Account” means, as at any date of determination, all “accounts” (as such term is defined in the UCC and including without limitation all “claims” for the purpose of the Civil Code of Quebec) of the Credit Parties, including, without limitation, the unpaid portion of the obligation of a customer of a Credit Party in respect of Inventory purchased by and shipped to such customer and/or the rendition of services by a Credit Party, as stated on the respective invoice of a Credit Party, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed to such customer.

Account Debtor” means the customer of a Credit Party who is obligated on or under an Account.

Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Person or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary of a Borrower, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person.

Administrative Agent” means GE Capital in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders hereunder, and any successor Administrative Agent.

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. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Without limitation, any director, executive officer or beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the Stock (either directly or through ownership of Stock Equivalents) of a Person shall for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be an Affiliate of the other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Loan Documents and (ii) neither PPG nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party solely by reason by PPG, any such Subsidiary and any such Credit Party having common executive officers and/or directors.

Agents” means, collectively, Administrative Agent and the Co-Collateral Agents.

Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment” means the combined Revolving Loan Commitments of the Lenders, which shall initially be in the amount of $500,000,000, as such amount may be increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to subsection 1.15(b).

Applicable Borrower” means (i) with respect to any U.S. Obligation, the U.S. Borrowers and (ii) with respect to any Canadian Obligation, the Canadian Borrower.

Applicable Designee” shall mean any office, branch or Affiliate of a Lender designated thereby from time to time with the consent of Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be

 

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unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to fund all or any portion of such Lender’s Commitment to fund Canadian Revolving Loans (including purchasing participations in Canadian Letters of Credit) under this Agreement. As of the Effective Date, the Applicable Designees of each Lender are set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) (which schedule may be updated from time to time upon written notice by any Lender to Administrative Agent). For all purposes of this Agreement, any designation of an Applicable Designee by a Lender shall not affect such Lender’s rights and obligations with respect to its Commitment and the Credit Parties, the other Lenders and Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except as otherwise expressly permitted in this Agreement or in the applicable addendum.

Applicable Margin” means: (i) if a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, 0.50 percent (0.50%) per annum and (ii) if a LIBOR Rate Loan, 1.50 percent (1.50%) per annum; provided, that if, at any time, Axiall has not satisfied the Ratings Requirement, the Applicable Margin shall be determined in accordance with the corresponding percentages per annum as set forth below:

 

Revolving Loans and Swing Loans

 

Average Utilization

   LIBOR Margin     Base Rate/Canadian Index Rate
Margin
 

Greater than 50%

     2.00     1.00

Greater than 25% and less than or equal to 50%

     1.75     0.75

Less than or equal to 25%

     1.50     0.50

The Applicable Margin shall be determined by the Administrative Agent and adjusted quarterly. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Outstandings then existing or subsequently made or issued.

Applicable Unused Commitment Fee” means a rate per annum equal to 0.375%; provided, that if, at any time, Axiall has satisfied the Ratings Requirement, the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee shall be determined in accordance with the corresponding percentages per annum as set forth below:

 

Average Utilization

   Unused Commitment Fee  

Greater than or equal to 25%

     0.250

Less than 25%

     0.375

The Applicable Unused Commitment Fee shall be determined by the Administrative Agent and adjusted quarterly.

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) (i) is or will be engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the Ordinary Course of Business or (ii) temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any Person described in clause (i) above, (b) is advised or managed by (i) such Lender, (ii) any Affiliate of such Lender or (iii) any Person (other than an individual) or any Affiliate of any Person (other than an individual) that administers or manages such Lender and (c) has the ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

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Arrangement Fee Letter” means that certain ABL Facility Arrangement Fee Letter, dated as of December 12, 2012, by and among Axiall, GE Capital Markets, Inc. and the Administrative Agent.

Aromatics Asset Sale” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, through the establishment of one or more joint ventures) of all or any part of Axiall’s “Aromatics” division including, without limitation, certain equipment and customer contracts associated with Axiall’s phenol production plant located in Placquemine, Louisiana, and certain property, plants, equipment and customer contracts associated with Axiall’s cumene production facility and phenol production facility, each located in Pasadena, Texas.

Arrangers” means GE Capital Markets, Inc. and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC.

Assignment” means an assignment agreement entered into by a Lender, as assignor, and any Person, as assignee, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section 9.9 (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.9), accepted by Administrative Agent, in substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(a) or any other form approved by Administrative Agent.

Attorney Costs” means and includes all reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

Average Utilization” means, as of any date of determination, the average daily Utilization for the previous calendar month.

BA Rate” means for a particular period the rate per annum determined by Agent by reference to the average rate quoted on the Reuters Monitor Screen (Page CDOR, or such other Page as may replace such Page on such Screen on the purpose of displaying Canadian interbank bid rates for Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances) applicable to Canadian Dollars bankers’ acceptances with a term comparable to such period as of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) two (2) Business Days before the first day of such period. If for any reason the Reuters Monitor Screen rates are not available, BA Rate means the rate of interest determined by Administrative Agent that is equal to the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards to the nearest basis point) of the rates quoted by The Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in respect of Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances with a term comparable to such period. No adjustment shall be made to account for the difference between the number of days in a year on which the rates referred to in this definition are based and the number of days in a year on the basis of which interest is calculated in the Agreement.

Bank Product Amount” has the meaning given to such term in the definition of Bank Products.

Bank Product Provider” means any Person that, at the time it provides any Bank Products to Credit Parties, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender. In no event shall any Bank Product Provider acting in such capacity be deemed a Lender for purposes hereof to the extent of and as to Bank Products except that each reference to the term “Lender” in Sections 8.1, 8.5, 8.7 and 9.8 shall be deemed to include such Bank Product Provider and in no event shall the approval of any such person in its capacity as Bank Product Provider be required in connection with the release or termination of any security interest or Lien of Administrative Agent.

 

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Bank Products” means any one or more of the following types or services or facilities provided to a Credit Party by a Bank Product Provider: (a) purchasing cards, commercial cards, credit cards or stored value cards, (b) cash management or related services, including (i) the automated clearinghouse transfer of funds for the account of a Credit Party pursuant to agreement or overdraft for any accounts of a Credit Party maintained at Administrative Agent or any Bank Product Provider that are subject to the control of Administrative Agent pursuant to any deposit account control agreement to which Administrative Agent or such Bank Product Provider is a party, as applicable, (ii) controlled disbursement services and (iii) E-payables or comparable services. In connection with any Bank Product, each Bank Product Provider, shall provide written notice to Administrative Agent prior to entering into a Bank Product of (x) the existence of such Bank Product, (y) the maximum dollar amount of obligations arising thereunder (the “Bank Product Amount”) and (z) the methodology to be used by such parties in determining the obligations under such Bank Product from time to time. The Bank Product Amount may be changed from time to time upon written notice to Administrative Agent by the applicable Bank Product Provider. No Bank Product Amount may be established at any time that a Default or Event of Default exists, or if a reserve in such amount would cause an Overadvance.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.) as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the rate last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the United States or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by Administrative Agent), (b) the sum of 0.50% per annum and the Federal Funds Rate, and (c) the sum of (x) LIBOR calculated for each such day based on an Interest Period of three months determined two (2) Business Days prior to such day plus (y) 1.00% per annum, in each instance, as of such day. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in any of the foregoing shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR for an Interest Period of three months.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether governed by the laws of the United States or otherwise) to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, but excluding any Canadian Benefit Plan.

 

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Borrowing” means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the same Type made, continued or converted to or for the benefit of the same Borrower on the same day by the Lenders pursuant to Article I.

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate of the Borrower Representative, on behalf of each Credit Party, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(b) hereto, duly completed as of a date in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.

Building Products Division Asset Sale” means the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, through the establishment of one or more joint ventures) of all or any part of Axiall’s “home improvement” or “building products” division including, without limitation, certain property, plant, equipment and customer contracts associated with window and door profiles, mouldings products, vinyl siding, aluminum siding and accessories, pipe and pipe fittings, and deck, fence and rail product lines.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which federal reserve banks are authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.

Canadian Benefit Plans” means any plan, fund, program, or policy, whether oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, providing benefits primarily to Canadian employees, including medical, hospital care, dental, sickness, accident, disability, life insurance, pension, retirement or savings benefits, under which Borrowers have any liability with respect to any employee or former employee, but excluding any Canadian Pension Plans.

Canadian Borrowing Base” means, with respect to the Canadian Borrower and the other Canadian Credit Parties on a consolidated basis, as of any date of determination by Administrative Agent, an amount equal to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of:

(a) 85% of the book value of Eligible Accounts at such time; plus

(b) the lesser of (i) 70% of Eligible Inventory valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis, and (ii) 85% of the book value of Eligible Inventory, multiplied by the NOLV Factor; plus

(c) 100% of Qualified Cash; minus

(d) Reserves established by the Co-Collateral Agents at such time in their Permitted Discretion; minus

(e) the Swap Termination Value of all Noticed Secured Rate Contracts to the extent such amount constitutes Obligations of such Credit Party.

Subject to the eligibility criteria set forth in the definitions of “Eligible Accounts”, “Eligible Inventory” and “Qualified Cash”, the assets of the PPG Entities shall not be included in

 

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the Canadian Borrowing Base until such time as the PPG Inclusion Requirement has been satisfied. Furthermore, no assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be included in the Canadian Borrowing Base.

The Canadian Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.2 (subject, in all respects, to the ability of the Co-Collateral Agents to impose Reserves at any time in their Permitted Discretion).

Canadian Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Canadian Security Agreement.

Canadian Credit Parties” means the Canadian Borrower and each Canadian Subsidiary (i) which executes a guaranty of the Canadian Obligations and (ii) which grants a Lien on its Canadian Collateral to secure payment of the Canadian Obligations.

Canadian Dollars” or “C$” shall mean the lawful currency of Canada.

Canadian Index Rate” means, for any day, a floating rate equal to the higher of (a) the annual rate of interest quoted from time to time in the “Report on Business” section of The Globe and Mail as being “Canadian prime”, “chartered bank prime rate” or words of similar description; and (b) the BA Rate existing on such day in respect of a period of 30 days plus 1.35% per annum. Any change in any interest rate provided for in the Agreement based upon the Canadian Index Rate shall take effect at the time of such change in the Canadian Index Rate. No adjustments shall be made to account for the difference between the number of days in a year on which the rates referred to in this definition are based and the number of days in a year on the basis of which interest is calculated in the Agreement.

Canadian Index Rate Loan” means a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars that bears interest at a rate based on the Canadian Index Rate.

Canadian Obligations” means the Obligations of the Canadian Borrower.

Canadian Pension Plans” means each pension plan required to be registered under Canadian federal or provincial law that is maintained or contributed to by a Credit Party primarily for its Canadian employees or former employees, but does not include the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or the Province of Quebec, respectively.

Canadian Revolving Loan Sublimit” means, initially, $200,000,000, as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to subsection 1.15(b).

Canadian Security Agreement” means, collectively, each Security Agreement, dated as of the Original Closing Date or the Effective Date, as applicable, made by the Canadian Credit Parties in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Canadian Subsidiary” means each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Axiall (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof and for greater certainty shall also include The Roybridge Financing Trust.

 

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Canadian Swingline Commitment” means $30,000,000.

Capital Adequacy Regulation” means any guideline, request or directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements of any Lender or of any corporation controlling a Lender.

Capital Lease” means any leasing or similar arrangement which, in accordance with GAAP, is classified as a capital lease; provided, that the OMERS Leases shall be deemed not to be Capital Leases for all purposes under this Agreement.

Capital Lease Obligations” means all monetary obligations of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party under any Capital Leases.

Cash Dominion Period” means (a) any period during which any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) each period commencing on a date that either (i) Excess Availability has been less than the Threshold Amount for a period of five (5) consecutive Business Days (provided, no borrowing is permitted during such 5-day period) (such five day period, the “Cash Dominion Grace Period”) or (ii) Excess Availability is less than the Threshold Amount and Axiall has waived application of the Cash Dominion Grace Period, and continuing until the date Excess Availability shall have been equal to or greater than the Threshold Amount for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days (unless Administrative Agent has determined that the circumstances surrounding such Cash Dominion Period cease to exist); provided, that if there have been more than three Cash Dominion Periods in the preceding 365 consecutive days, then a Cash Dominion Period will not end pursuant to clause (b) above until such time as there shall have been three or fewer Cash Dominion Periods in the preceding 365 consecutive day period.

Cash Equivalents” means (a) any readily-marketable securities (i) issued by, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States federal government or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States federal government the obligations of which are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United States federal government, (b) any readily-marketable direct obligations issued by any other agency of the United States federal government, any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case having a rating of at least “A-1” from S&P or at least “P-1” from Moody’s, (c) any commercial paper rated at least “A-1” by S&P or “P-1” by Moody’s and issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States, (d) any Dollar-denominated time deposit, insured certificate of deposit, overnight bank deposit or bankers’ acceptance issued or accepted by (i) any Lender or (ii) any commercial bank that is (A) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (B) “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulators) and (C) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) in excess of $250,000,000 and (e) shares of any United States money market fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above with maturities as set forth in the proviso below, (ii) has net assets in excess of $500,000,000 and (iii) has obtained from either S&P or Moody’s the highest rating obtainable for money market funds in the United States; provided, however, that the maturities of all obligations specified in any of clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) above shall not exceed 365 days.

 

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Closing Date Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to SpinCo or Axiall, any change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate with all such other changes, developments, events, occurrences, effects or states of facts is materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Eagle Business (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement), taken as a whole (in the case of SpinCo), or Axiall and the Grizzly Subsidiaries (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement), taken as a whole (in the case of Axiall); provided, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there is, a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement): any change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts arising out of or resulting from (i) capital market conditions generally or general economic conditions, including with respect to interest rates or currency exchange rates, (ii) geopolitical conditions or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, acts of war or terrorism occurring after the July 18, 2012, (iii) any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster occurring after July 18, 2012, (iv) any change in applicable Law (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement) or GAAP (or authoritative interpretation thereof) which is proposed, approved or enacted after July 18, 2012, (v) general conditions in the industries in which the Eagle Business operates (in the case of SpinCo) or Axiall and the Grizzly Subsidiaries operate (in the case of Axiall), (vi) the announcement and pendency of the PPG Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including any lawsuit in respect hereof, compliance with the covenants or agreements contained herein, and, unless same involves a breach by PPG of its representations and warranties in Section 6.3 of the PPG Merger Agreement (in the case of SpinCo) or a breach by Axiall of its representations and warranties in Section 7.3 of the PPG Merger Agreement (in the case of Axiall), any loss of or change in relationship with any customer, supplier, distributor, or other business partner, or departure of any employee or officer, of the Eagle Business (in the case of SpinCo) or Axiall or any of the Grizzly Subsidiaries (in the case of Axiall), and (vii) in the case of SpinCo, (A) any Excluded Asset or Excluded Liability (each as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement) or (B) any labor dispute, labor arbitration proceeding or labor organizational effort pending or threatened or any slowdown or work stoppage in effect or threatened with respect to Spinco Employees (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement), in any such case, so long as the plant at which any such labor dispute, labor arbitration proceeding, labor organization effort, or slowdown or work stoppage is occurring continues to operate, except, in the cases of clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v), to the extent that such change, development, event, occurrence, effect or state of facts has a materially disproportionate effect on the Eagle Business (in the case of SpinCo) or Axiall and the Grizzly Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in the case of Axiall), as compared with other participants in the industries in which the Eagle Business operates (in the case of SpinCo) or Axiall and the Grizzly Subsidiaries operate (in the case of Axiall) (in which case the incremental disproportionate impact or impacts may be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there is, a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the PPG Merger Agreement)).

Co-Collateral Agents” means (i) GE Capital in its capacity as co-collateral agent under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, or any of its successors in such capacity and (ii) Wells Fargo in its capacity as co-collateral agent under this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, or any of its successors in such capacity; provided, that in the event that Wells Fargo resigns as a Co-Collateral Agent, no successor Co-Collateral Agent shall be appointed.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Collateral” means, collectively, the U.S. Collateral and the Canadian Collateral.

 

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Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Canadian Security Agreement, the Mortgages, each Control Agreement, and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, patent and trademark security agreements, lease assignments, guarantees and other similar agreements, and all amendments, restatements, modifications or supplements thereof or thereto, by or between any one or more of any Credit Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any other Person pledging or granting a lien on Collateral or guaranteeing the payment and performance of some or all of the Obligations, and any Lender or Administrative Agent for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Lenders and other Secured Parties now or hereafter delivered to the Lenders or Administrative Agent pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the UCC, the PPSA or comparable law) against any such Person as debtor in favor of any Lender or Administrative Agent for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, as secured party, as any of the foregoing may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Commitment” means, for each Lender, its Revolving Loan Commitment.

Commitment Percentage” means, as to any Lender, the percentage equivalent of such Lender’s Revolving Loan Commitment divided by the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, in the form of Exhibit 4.2(b) hereto.

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all capital expenditures, as determined in accordance with GAAP, minus the Net Cash Proceeds received from the sale of capital assets (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the sale of inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business) and reinvested during such period; provided, however, that Consolidated Capital Expenditures shall not include expenditures made with proceeds of any involuntary disposition, or expenditures made in anticipation of the future receipt of such proceeds after the occurrence of an involuntary disposition, to the extent such expenditures are used to purchase property that is used or useful in the business of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Consolidated Capital Expenditures” for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended (i) March 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $24,500,000, (ii) June 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $43,400,000, (iii) September 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $21,000,000 and (iv) December 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $37,900,000, in each case, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Transactions.

Consolidated Cash Interest Charges” means, for any period, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the excess of (a) the sum of (without duplication) (i) the interest expense (including (A) imputed interest expense under capital leases, but excluding any imputed interest as a result of purchase accounting, (B) all commissions, discounts, fees and other cash charges in connection with letters of credit and similar instruments and (C) net amounts paid or payable and/or received or receivable under permitted rate contracts in respect of interest rates) for such period, in accordance with GAAP, in each case which are paid or payable in cash, plus (ii) the implied interest component of synthetic leases with respect to such period, plus (iii) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP,

 

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minus (b) the sum of (i) to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period, non-cash expenses attributable to the amortization or write-off of capitalized financing costs previously paid, plus (ii) to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such period, non-cash amounts attributable to amortization of debt discounts or accrued interest payable in kind for such period, plus (iii) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees for such period, plus (iv) cash interest income for such period. For purposes of calculating Consolidated Cash Interest Charges, the non-cash effects of the application of ASC Subtopic 470-50 shall be disregarded.

Consolidated Cash Taxes” means, for any applicable period of computation, the sum of all taxes on or measured by income paid or required to be paid in cash by Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (net of all income tax refunds and credits received in cash by Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period), which number for the applicable period of computation shall not be less than zero, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with applicable law and GAAP, but excluding, without duplication and to the extent included therein, income taxes paid in cash during such period that are directly attributable to, without duplication, any gain in respect of the modification or exchange of debt instruments (provided, such amounts shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate through maturity of the Loan). Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Consolidated Cash Taxes” for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended (i) March 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $30,100,000, (ii) June 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $29,500,000, (iii) September 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $46,200,000 and (iv) December 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $41,700,000, in each case, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Transactions.

Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, without duplication, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the net income for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (i) the income (or loss) of any joint venture or other Person which is not a Subsidiary of a Borrower, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to a Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash by such Person during such period, (ii) the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Credit Party if the payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary is not permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or of any agreement or Requirement of Law applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any net gain from the collection of life insurance proceeds; (iv) any aggregate net gain or loss from the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of Property or assets not in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP and (v) any extraordinary and non-recurring gains or losses of a Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and related tax effects in accordance with GAAP plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining net income for such period, (i) interest expense and bank fees and costs of surety bonds, in each case in connection with financing activities, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization (including the amortization of deferred financing fees or costs), (iv) any fees, expenses or other costs paid in connection with (A) the PPG Acquisition Financing and this Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000, (B) any tender offer for the Secured Notes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $64,000,000 (including the payment of any required “make-whole premiums”) and (C) any transaction costs incurred in connection with any Ethylene Cracker Investment in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000, (v) amortization relating to V-cracker assets, (vi) any non-cash deduction from net income as a result of any grant of stock or stock equivalents to employees or members of the board of directors, (vii) any expenses or charges related to any issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents, Investment,

 

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Acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including any refinancing thereof whether or not successful) and any amendment or modification to the terms of any such transactions in an aggregate amount (combined with amounts included under clause (viii) below) not to exceed $10,000,00, (viii) the amount of any restructuring charge or reserve, including one-time costs incurred in connection with a Permitted Acquisition after the Effective Date or the closing of any facilities after the Effective Date in an aggregate amount (combined with amounts included under clause (vii) above) not to exceed $10,000,000, (ix) any costs or expenses incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Axiall or net cash proceeds from the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Axiall and (x) other non-cash charges reducing net income (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period or relating to a write-down, write off or reserve with respect to accounts receivable and inventory), minus (c) (i) income tax credits and (ii) non-cash income or gains (including, without limitation, income arising from the cancellation of indebtedness) other than the accrual of revenue in the Ordinary Course of Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Consolidated EBITDA” for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended (i) March 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $142,500,000, (ii) June 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $139,800,000, (iii) September 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $192,300,000 and (iv) December 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $177,800,000, in each case, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Transactions.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, amounts relating to a subsidiary of a Person will be added to or deducted from net income to compute Consolidated EBITDA of such Person only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such subsidiary was included in calculating the net income of such Person.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA minus (ii) Consolidated Capital Expenditures (other than Consolidated Capital Expenditures to the extent financed with Indebtedness (excluding Loans under this Agreement) or financed with the issuance of equity) minus (iii) Consolidated Cash Taxes to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges, in each case for the period of the last twelve months most recently ended.

For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any applicable period during which any Subject Transaction is consummated, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated in accordance with Section 11.7.

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Charges for such period plus (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments (whether or not made) during such period in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation, the attributable indebtedness of capital leases) of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries plus (c) the aggregate amount of cash restricted payments made by Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period pursuant to clauses (d), (e) or (m) of Section 5.11. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Consolidated Fixed Charges” for Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended (i) March 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $21,500,000, (ii) June 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $21,100,000, (iii) September 30, 2012 shall be deemed to be $21,100,000 and (iv) December 31, 2012 shall be deemed to be $21,100,000, in each case, after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the Transactions.

 

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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets of Axiall and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all current liabilities (excluding any current liabilities that are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereunder for more than 12 months after the date of determination; total prepaid expenses and deferred charges, and all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, licenses, copyrights and other intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis, as would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of Axiall and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for Axiall’s most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated total Indebtedness of Axiall and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of determination that constitutes the Obligations, the Secured Notes, Term Loans, any Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations and any Capital Lease Obligations to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries are available, in each case, subject to pro forma adjustments made in a manner consistent with the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as set forth in Section 6.1, for the most recent four quarters for which financial statements are available.

Consolidated Total Assets” of any Person means, at any date, the total assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP minus (a) any minority interest in any Person that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries at such date prepared in conformity with GAAP and (b) any securities issued by such Person held as treasury securities.

Contingent Obligation” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person: (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability, or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto; (b) with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings; (c) under any Rate Contracts; (d) to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an agreement; or (e) for the obligations of another Person through any agreement to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any Property constituting security therefor, to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation or to maintain the solvency, financial condition or any balance sheet item or level of income of another Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if not a fixed and determined amount, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

Contractual Obligations” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

 

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Control Agreement” means a deposit account, securities account or commodities account control agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent and in any event providing to Administrative Agent “control” of such deposit account, securities or commodities account within the meaning of Articles 8 and 9 of the UCC.

Conversion Date” means any date on which the Applicable Borrower converts a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable, to a LIBOR Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan or a Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable.

Copyrights” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to copyrights and all mask work, database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.

Credit Parties” means each U.S. Credit Party and each Canadian Credit Party.

Default” means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” shall mean the fair market value (as determined by Axiall in good faith) of non-cash consideration received by Axiall or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a sale or disposition pursuant to Section 5.2(h) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the fair market value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash or Cash Equivalents).

Disposition” means (a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of Property, other than sales or other dispositions expressly permitted under subsections 5.2(a), 5.2(c), 5.2(f) and 5.2(g) and (b) the sale or transfer by a Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower of any Stock or Stock Equivalent issued by any Subsidiary of a Borrower and held by such transferor Person.

Documentation Agent” means Barclays Bank PLC in its capacity as Documentation Agent under this Agreement.

Dollars”, “dollars” and “$” each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Effective Date” means January 28, 2013.

Electronic Transmission” means each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or other equivalent service acceptable to Administrative Agent.

 

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Environmental Laws” means all present and future Requirements of Law and Permits imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of human health, safety, the workplace, the environment and natural resources, and including public notification requirements and environmental transfer of ownership, notification or approval statutes.

Environmental Liabilities” means all Liabilities (including costs of Remedial Actions, natural resource damages and costs and expenses of investigation and feasibility studies, including the cost of environmental consultants and the cost of attorney’s fees) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party as a result of, or related to, any claim, suit, action, investigation, proceeding or demand by any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law or otherwise, arising under any Environmental Law or in connection with any environmental, health or safety condition or with any Release and resulting from the ownership, lease, sublease or other operation or occupation of property by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether on, prior or after the date hereof.

Equipment” means all “equipment,” as such term is defined in the UCC, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, wherever located.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate” means, collectively, any Credit Party and any Person under common control or treated as a single employer with, any Credit Party, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

ERISA Event” means any of the following: (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA or, unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations, Section 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the filing of a notice of reorganization, insolvency or termination (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041 of ERISA; (f) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (g) the failure to make any required contribution to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due; (h) the imposition of a lien under Section 412 or 430(k) of the Code or Section 303 or 4068 of ERISA on any property (or rights to property, whether real or personal) of any ERISA Affiliate; (i) the failure of a Benefit Plan or any trust thereunder intended to qualify for tax exempt status under Section 401 or 501 of the Code or other Requirements of Law to qualify thereunder; (j) a Title IV plan is in “at risk” status within the meaning of Code Section 430(i); (k) a Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered status” or “critical status” within the meaning of Section 432(b) of the Code; and (l) any other event or condition that might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of any material liability upon any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent.

 

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Ethylene Cracker Facility” means a facility, a primary purpose of which is the cracking, generation or production of ethylene (or with the intent to convert or modify to the cracking, generation or production of ethylene).

Ethylene Cracker Investment” means any one or more of the following: (a) any Investment in any Person (including, without limitation, through an Acquisition, joint venture arrangement, capital investment or similar Investment, or the guarantee of any Indebtedness of such Person) whose primary business consists of constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or otherwise operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility or (b) the entering into of one or more long-term supply contracts for the purchase of ethylene including, without limitation, long-term supply contracts that provide for take-or-pay or similar payments.

Event of Loss” means, with respect to any Property, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such Property; or (b) any actual condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation of such Property or the requisition of the use of such Property.

Excess Availability” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Maximum Revolving Loan Balance and (ii) the sum of the Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance and the Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance minus (b) the principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Accounts” means (A) deposit accounts specifically and exclusively used for, payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of any Credit Party’s employees, and (B) any deposit account or securities account that is not located within the United States of America which, individually or in the aggregate, does not at any time have more than $2,000,000 on deposit therein.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder, (a) any taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), net profits or capital of such Person and franchise taxes imposed in lieu thereof by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient (i) is organized or incorporated, (ii) maintains its principal lending office or, in the case of any Lender or any L/C Issuer, its applicable lending office with respect to this Agreement or (iii) has a present or former connection other than a connection resulting from entering into this Agreement or receiving any payment under this Agreement; (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which such Lender or such L/C Issuer is located, (c) in the case of any Lender any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an interest in a Loan pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (x) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 9.22)) or (y) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 10.1, amounts with respect such taxes were payable by the Borrowers either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (d) in the case of any Lender, any withholding tax that is attributable to such Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a change in any Requirement of Law) to comply with Section 10.1(f)) and (e) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

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E-Fax” means any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.

E-Signature” means the process of attaching to or logically associating with an Electronic Transmission an electronic symbol, encryption, digital signature or process (including the name or an abbreviation of the name of the party transmitting the Electronic Transmission) with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such Electronic Transmission.

E-System” means any electronic system approved by Administrative Agent, including Intralinks® and ClearPar® and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by Administrative Agent, any of its Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereof (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

Federal Flood Insurance” means Federally backed Flood Insurance available under the National Flood Insurance Program to owners of real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent in a commercially reasonable manner.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Fee Letters” means, collectively, the Prior ABL Credit Agreement Additional Incremental Fee Letter and the Arrangement Fee Letter.

FEMA” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the National Flood Insurance Program.

FIRREA” means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended.

Final Availability Date” means the earlier of the Revolving Termination Date and one (1) Business Day prior to the date specified in clause (a) of the definition of Revolving Termination Date.

First Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary held directly by a U.S. Credit Party or indirectly by a U.S. Credit Party through one or more U.S. Subsidiaries.

 

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Fiscal Quarter” means any of the quarterly accounting periods of the Credit Parties, ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year.

Fiscal Year” means any of the annual accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on December 31 of each year.

Flood Insurance” means, for any Real Estate located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Federal Flood Insurance or private insurance that covers flood perils with deductibles, limits and sublimits that are commercially reasonable given the size and character of the business of the Credit Parties.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary of such Person that is a “controlled foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, subject to Section 11.3 hereof.

Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

Hazardous Materials” means any substance, material or waste that is regulated or otherwise gives rise to liability under any Environmental Law, including but not limited to any “Hazardous Waste” as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq. (1976)), any “Hazardous Substance” as defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq. (1980)), any contaminant, pollutant, petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos, asbestos containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, and radioactive substances or any other substance that is toxic, ignitable, reactive, corrosive, caustic, or dangerous.

Holdco” means Rome Acquisition Holding Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Axiall.

Holdco Loan” means that certain intercompany loan by Axiall to Holdco as evidenced by that certain promissory note made as of October 3, 2006 executed by Holdco in favor of Axiall.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (other than a Credit Party) of Axiall (i) listed on Schedule 11.1(b), or (ii) both (A) owning assets having a book value of less than 2.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (B) having Consolidated EBITDA (calculated solely for such Subsidiary) constituting less than 5% of Consolidated EBITDA of Axiall and its Subsidiaries (including any Unrestricted Subsidiaries); provided, that (x) the aggregate book value of the assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries at any time shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated

 

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Net Tangible Assets and (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA (calculated solely for such Immaterial Subsidiaries) at any time shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated EBITDA of Axiall and its Subsidiaries (including any Unrestricted Subsidiaries).

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than trade payables entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business); (c) the face amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder and all reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments issued by such Person; (d) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition of Property, assets or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect to Property acquired by the Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such Property); (f) all Capital Lease Obligations; (g) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off balance sheet financing product; (h) all obligations, whether or not contingent, to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any of its own Stock or Stock Equivalents (or any Stock or Stock Equivalent of a direct or indirect parent entity thereof) prior to the date that is 180 days after the latest Revolving Termination Date, valued at, in the case of redeemable preferred Stock, the greater of the voluntary liquidation preference and the involuntary liquidation preference of such Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (i) all indebtedness referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in Property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness; and (j) all Contingent Obligations described in clause (a) or (c) of the definition thereof in respect of indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above. To the extent that any recourse with respect to such Indebtedness is limited to solely to property of a Person, the amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (i) shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value (as determined by such Person in good faith) of such property encumbered thereby.

Insolvency Proceeding” means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case in (a) and (b) above, undertaken under U.S. federal, state or foreign law, including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act Canada).

Intellectual Property” means all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property and industrial property arising under any Requirement of Law and all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including all Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets and IP Licenses.

 

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Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the Original Closing Date (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) between GE Capital, as revolving agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as notes collateral agent.

Interest Payment Date” means, (a) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and (b) with respect to Base Rate or Canadian Index Rate Loans (including Swing Loans) the first day of each month.

Interest Period” means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed or continued or on the Conversion Date on which a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Index Rate Loan, as applicable, is converted to the LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two or three months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower Representative in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided, that:

(a) if any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period for any Revolving Loan shall extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date.

Internet Domain Name” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to internet domain names.

Inventory” means all of the “inventory” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties, including, but not limited to, all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, work in process and finished goods intended for sale, together with all the containers, packing, packaging, shipping and similar materials related thereto, and including such inventory as is temporarily out of a Credit Party’s custody or possession, including inventory on the premises of others and items in transit.

IP Ancillary Rights” means, with respect to any other Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisionals, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property and all income, royalties, proceeds and Liabilities at any time due or payable or asserted under or with respect to any of the foregoing or otherwise with respect to such Intellectual Property, including all rights to sue or recover at law or in equity for any past, present or future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation or other impairment thereof, and, in each case, all rights to obtain any other IP Ancillary Right.

 

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IP License” means all Contractual Obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property.

IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and any successor thereto.

Issue” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, to issue, extend the expiration date of, renew (including by failure to object to any automatic renewal on the last day such objection is permitted), increase the face amount of, or reduce or eliminate any scheduled decrease in the face amount of, such Letter of Credit, or to cause any Person to do any of the foregoing. The terms “Issued” and “Issuance” have correlative meanings.

L/C Issuer” shall mean (a) any Lender, (b) an Affiliate of any Lender, (c) any Person designated by an L/C Issuer from time to time to issue all or any portion of the Canadian Letters of Credit requested to be issued by such L/C Issuer under this Agreement and listed on Schedule 1.1(a) (which schedule may be updated from time to time upon written notice by any L/C Issuer to Administrative Agent) or (d) any other bank or other legally authorized Person, in each case, reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, in such Person’s capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. For all purposes of this Agreement, any designation by an L/C Issuer made pursuant to clause (c) of this definition shall not affect such L/C Issuer’s rights and obligations with respect to its Commitment and the Credit Parties, the Lenders and Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such L/C Issuer in connection with such L/C Issuer’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except as otherwise expressly permitted in this Agreement.

L/C Reimbursement Obligation” means, for any Letter of Credit, the obligation of the Applicable Borrower to the L/C Issuer thereof, as and when matured, to pay all amounts drawn under such Letter of Credit.

Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement. Furthermore, with respect to (a) each provision of this Agreement relating to the making of any Canadian Revolving Loan or the extension of any Canadian Letter of Credit or the repayment or the reimbursement thereof by the Canadian Borrower, (b) any rights of set-off, (c) any rights of indemnification or expense reimbursement and (d) reserves, capital adequacy or other provisions, each reference to a Lender shall be deemed to include such Lender’s Applicable Designee. Notwithstanding the designation by any Lender of an Applicable Designee, Borrowers and Administrative Agent shall be permitted to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided, that each Applicable Designee shall be subject to the provisions obligating or restricting the Lenders under this Agreement.

Lender-Related Distress Event” means, with respect to any Lender or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender (each a “Distressed Person”), (a) a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar bankruptcy laws of its jurisdiction of formation, (b) a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, (c) such Distressed Person is subject to a forced liquidation, merger, sale or other change of majority control supported in whole or in part by guaranties or other support (including, without limitation, the nationalization or assumption of majority ownership or operating control

 

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by) the U.S. government or other Governmental Authority, or (d) such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person or its assets to be, insolvent or bankrupt. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall have the same meaning as in the second sentence of the definition of “Affiliate”.

Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender specified as its “Lending Office” beneath its name on the applicable signature page hereto, or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may from time to time notify the Borrower Representative and Administrative Agent.

Letter of Credit” means documentary or standby letters of credit issued by L/C Issuers for which Administrative Agent and Lenders have incurred Letter of Credit Obligations.

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

Letter of Credit Obligations” means all outstanding obligations incurred by Administrative Agent and Lenders at the request of the Applicable Borrower or the Borrower Representative, whether direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, due or not due, in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit by L/C Issuers or the purchase of a participation as set forth in subsection 1.1(c) with respect to any Letter of Credit. The amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations shall equal the maximum amount that may be payable by Administrative Agent and Lenders thereupon or pursuant thereto.

Liabilities” means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses, liability, obligations, responsibilities, fines, penalties, sanctions, costs, fees, taxes, commissions, charges, disbursements and expenses, in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.

LIBOR” means, for each Interest Period, the highest of (a) the offered rate per annum for deposits of Dollars or Canadian Dollars (as applicable) for the applicable Interest Period that appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR 01 Page as of 11:00 A.M. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day in such Interest Period or (b) the offered rate per annum for deposits of Dollars or Canadian Dollars (as applicable) for an Interest Period of three (3) months that appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR 01 Page as of 11:00 A.M. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period. If no such offered rate exists, such rate will be the rate of interest per annum, as determined by Administrative Agent at which deposits of Dollars or Canadian Dollars (as applicable) in immediately available funds are offered at 11:00 A.M. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day in such Interest Period by major financial institutions reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent in the London interbank market for such Interest Period for the applicable principal amount on such date of determination.

 

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LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on LIBOR.

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise) or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) and any contingent or other agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but not including the interest of a lessor under a lease which is not a Capital Lease.

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to a Borrower pursuant to Article I, and may be a Base Rate Loan, a Canadian Index Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letters, the Collateral Documents, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and all documents delivered to Administrative Agent and/or any Lender in connection with any of the foregoing.

Margin Stock” means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, Properties, or financial condition of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Credit Party to repay the Obligations or of any Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other material Loan Document as and when required to be performed under such document; or (c) a material adverse effect upon (A) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (B) the perfection or priority of any Lien in respect of any material portion of the Collateral granted to the Lenders or to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under any of the Collateral Documents.

Maximum Canadian Revolving Loan Balance” from time to time will be the lesser of:

(x) the Canadian Borrowing Base in effect from time to time (as calculated pursuant to the Borrowing Base Certificate, or

(y) the Canadian Revolving Loan Sublimit then in effect;

less, in either case, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of Canadian Letter of Credit Obligations plus (y) outstanding Canadian Swing Loans.

Maximum U.S. Revolving Loan Balance” from time to time will be the lesser of:

(x) the U.S. Borrowing Base (as calculated pursuant to the Borrowing Base Certificate; or

(y) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect;

less, in either case, the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of U.S. Letter of Credit Obligations plus (y) outstanding U.S. Swing Loans.

 

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Maximum Revolving Loan Balance” means, from time to time, the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect, less the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (x) the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Obligations plus (y) outstanding Swing Loans.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgage” means any deed of trust, leasehold deed of trust, mortgage, leasehold mortgage, deed to secure debt, leasehold deed to secure debt or other document creating a Lien on Real Estate or any interest in Real Estate.

Mortgaged Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in Schedule 4.17.

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as to which any ERISA Affiliate incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

National Flood Insurance Program” means the program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as revised by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, that mandates the purchase of flood insurance to cover real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in participating communities and provides protection to property owners through a federal insurance program.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means the cash proceeds of Inventory which could be obtained in an orderly liquidation (net of all liquidation expenses, costs of sale, operating expenses and retrieval and related costs), as determined pursuant to the most recent third-party appraisal of such Inventory delivered to Administrative Agent by an appraiser reasonably acceptable to the Co-Collateral Agents.

Net Proceeds” means proceeds in cash, checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments (including Cash Equivalents) as and when received by the Person making a Disposition and insurance proceeds received on account of an Event of Loss, net of: (a) in the event of a Disposition (i) the direct costs relating to such Disposition excluding amounts payable to a Borrower or any Affiliate of a Borrower, (ii) sale, use or other transaction taxes paid or payable as a result thereof and actual tax obligations in respect of any gain on any such Disposition and (iii) amounts required to be applied to repay principal, interest and prepayment premiums and penalties on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset which is the subject of such Disposition and (b) in the event of an Event of Loss, (i) all money actually applied to repair or reconstruct the damaged Property or Property affected by the condemnation or taking, (ii) all of the costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds, award or other payments, and (iii) any amounts retained by or paid to parties having superior rights to such proceeds, awards or other payments.

NOLV Factor” means, as of the date of the appraisal of Inventory most recently received by Administrative Agent, the quotient of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Inventory divided by the book value of Inventory, expressed as a percentage. The NOLV Factor will be increased or reduced promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent of each updated appraisal.

 

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Non-Funding Lender” means any Lender (a) that has failed to fund any payments required to be made by it under the Loan Documents within two (2) Business Days after any such payment is due, (b) that has given verbal or written notice to a Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender or has otherwise publicly announced that such Lender believes it will fail to fund all payments required to be made by it or fund all purchases of participations required to be funded by it under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (c) as to which Administrative Agent has a good faith belief that such Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations (as a lender, agent or letter of credit issuer) under syndicated credit facilities generally or (d) with respect to which one or more Lender-Related Distress Events has occurred with respect to such Person or any Person that directly or indirectly controls such Lender and Administrative Agent has determined that such Lender may become a Non-Funding Lender. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall have the same meaning as in the second sentence of the definition of Affiliate.

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness (a) as to which neither Axiall nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (ii) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (iii) constitutes the lender and (b) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity date.

Non-U.S. Lender Party” means each of Administrative Agent, each Lender, each L/C Issuer, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Note” means any Revolving Note or Swingline Note and “Notes” means all such Notes.

Noticed Secured Rate Contract” means Secured Rate Contract entered into for which the Borrower Representative or Secured Swap Provider has provided written notice (including a statement of the Swap Termination Value of such Secured Rate Contract as of the date of such notice) to the Administrative Agent and each Lender not later than 5 days after entering into such Secured Rate Contract.

Notice of Borrowing” means a notice given by the Borrower Representative to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.5, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(c) hereto.

Noticed Bank Product” means any Bank Product provided by a Co-Collateral Agent or any of their respective Affiliates and any other Bank Product for which the applicable Bank Product Provider shall have complied with the notice and other information provisions set forth in the definition of “Bank Products”.

Obligations” means all Loans, and other Indebtedness, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Credit Party to any Lender, any Agent, any L/C Issuer, any Secured Swap Provider, any Bank Product Provider or any other Person required to be indemnified, that arises under any Loan Document or any Secured Rate Contract or with respect to any Bank Product, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an

 

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extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired.

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury or any successor thereto.

OMERS Leases” means those certain leases, dated March 29, 2007, by and among OMERS Realty Corporation, as landlord, Royal Group, Inc., as tenant, and Axiall, as indemnifier, as amended, restated or modified from time to time.

Ordinary Course of Business” means, in respect of any transaction involving any Person, the ordinary course of such Person’s business, as conducted by any such Person in accordance with past practice and undertaken by such Person in good faith and not for purposes of evading any covenant or restriction in any Loan Document.

Organization Documents” means, (a) for any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation and any shareholder rights agreement, (b) for any partnership, the partnership agreement and, if applicable, certificate of limited partnership, (c) for any limited liability company, the operating agreement and articles or certificate of formation or (d) any other document setting forth the manner of election or duties of the officers, directors, managers or other similar persons, or the designation, amount or relative rights, limitations and preference of the Stock of a Person.

Original Closing Date” means December 22, 2009.

Other Financing Documents” means, collectively, the PPG Acquisition Financing Documents and the Secured Note Documents.

Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations” has the meaning given to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement; provided, that to the extent that the Intercreditor Agreement is no longer in effect after the Effective Date, “Other Pari Passu Lien Obligations” shall mean Indebtedness secured by Liens on the Collateral ranking pari passu with the Liens securing the Secured Notes (whether or not the Secured Notes are outstanding at the time of such issuance) and, with respect to Liens on ABL Priority Collateral, subordinated to the Obligations on terms no less favorable to the Lenders, taken as a whole, than as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement and otherwise on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Patents” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor.

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56, as amended.

PBGC” means the United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation any successor thereto.

Permits” means, with respect to any Person, any permit, approval, authorization, license, registration, certificate, concession, grant, franchise, variance or permission from, and any other

 

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Contractual Obligations with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law and applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by (i) a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of substantially all of the assets, business or division of a Target or (ii) a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of 100% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of a Target (including as a result of a merger or consolidation), in each case, to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) to the extent the Acquisition will be financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of any Loan, the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 shall have been satisfied;

(b) (1) the Borrower Representative shall have notified Administrative Agent of such proposed Acquisition at least ten (10) days prior to the consummation thereof, and (2) with respect to any such Acquisition (or series of related Acquisitions) involving consideration in excess of $50,000,000, (i) Administrative Agent shall have received complete executed or conformed copies of each material document, instrument and agreement executed by a Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition not more than twenty (20) Business Days after such Acquisition (or such longer period as may be agreed to by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), and (ii) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to Administrative Agent pro forma financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the consummation of such Acquisition;

(c) the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (including any new Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 4.13 and, unless prohibited under the applicable acquisition documents, Administrative Agent shall have received, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a collateral assignment of the seller’s representations, warranties and indemnities to the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries under the acquisition documents;

(d) such Acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the board of directors (or other similar body) and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of the Target;

(e) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;

(f) Excess Availability shall be not less than $75,000,000 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition;

(g) Reserved;

(h) the total consideration paid or payable (including without limitation, all transaction costs, assumed Indebtedness and Liabilities incurred, assumed or reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such Acquisition and the maximum amount of all deferred payments) for all Acquisitions consummated during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $75,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Acquisitions (provided no such cap shall apply if Excess Availability

 

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would have exceeded $75,000,000 at all times during the 30 days (or, if such Acquisition occurs within 30 days after the Effective Date, the number of days between the relevant date of determination and the Effective Date) immediately preceding the incurrence thereof (pro forma after giving effect to such Acquisition);

(i) [Reserved];

(j) the business, assets or division acquired are for use, or the Target is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the businesses conducted by the Credit Parties on the Effective Date, or business activities reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto; and

(k) Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative demonstrating that the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.10 to 1.00 (calculated for the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the consummation of such Acquisition for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.1, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Accounts or Inventory acquired by a Credit Party in a Permitted Acquisition shall be included as Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory until a field examination (and, if required by the Co-Collateral Agents, an Inventory appraisal) with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Co-Collateral Agents, including the establishment of Reserves required in the Co-Collateral Agents’ Permitted Discretion; provided, that field examinations and appraisals in connection with Permitted Acquisitions shall not count against the limited number of field examinations or appraisals for which expense reimbursement may be sought.

Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of commercially reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment; provided, that in the case of the imposition of Reserves, the amount of such Reserves will have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such Reserves in the reasonable judgment of the applicable Person and shall be established in good faith without duplication for items already excluded from Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory, as the case may be.

Permitted Refinancing” means Indebtedness issued or given in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to, extend, refinance, renew, replace or refund Indebtedness permitted under subsection 5.5(c), 5.5(d), 5.5(g), 5.5(h), 5.5(l) or 5.5(m) that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing, refunding, replacement, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (c) is not entered into as part of a sale leaseback transaction, (d) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, (e) the obligors of which are the same as the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended and (f) is otherwise on terms not less favorable in any material respect to the Credit Parties, taken as a whole, than those of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended as reasonably determined by Axiall in

 

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good faith; provided that (other than with respect to any Permitted Refinancing of the Secured Notes commenced prior to the Effective Date), a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least seven (7) 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 Axiall has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies Axiall within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees).

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

Pledged Collateral” has the meaning specified in the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement and shall include any other Collateral required to be delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of any Collateral Document.

PPG Acquisition Financing Documents” means, collectively, the 2013 Indenture and the Term Loan Agreement Documents.

PPG Collateral Joinder” means a joinder to the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with respect to the PPG Entities.

PPG Inclusion Requirement” means, with respect to the PPG Entities, (a) the establishment of Control Accounts over all deposit and security accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) and (b) the performance of a field exam and Inventory appraisal reflecting acceptable asset value levels (including the establishment of Reserves required in the Co-Collateral Agents’ Permitted Discretion), in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to the Co-Collateral Agents.

PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and equivalent Canadian provincial legislation.

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Additional Incremental Fee Letter” means that certain Incremental Facility Fee Letter, dated as of December 10, 2012, by and among Axiall, GE Capital Markets, Inc. and the Administrative Agent.

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Letter of Credit Exposure” means, as at any date of determination, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount under all “Letters of Credit” (as defined in the Prior ABL Credit Agreement) then outstanding and (b) the aggregate amount of all amounts owing with respect to any drawn “Letters of Credit” (as defined in the Prior ABL Credit Agreement) not yet reimbursed by the Borrowers, in each case, under the Prior ABL Credit Agreement.

Prior ABL Credit Agreement Obligations” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Prior ABL Credit Agreement.

 

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Prior ABL Credit Agreement Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Loans (as defined in the Prior ABL Credit Agreement) outstanding at such time under the Prior ABL Credit Agreement. The Prior ABL Credit Agreement Swingline Exposure of any Prior ABL Credit Agreement Lender at any time shall be its pro rata portion of the aggregate Prior ABL Credit Agreement Swingline Exposure.

Prior Claims” shall mean all Liens created by applicable law (in contrast with Liens voluntarily granted) which rank or are capable of ranking prior or pari passu with Administrative Agent’s security interests (or interests similar thereto under applicable law) against all or part of the Canadian Collateral, including for amounts owing for wages, employee source deductions, goods and services taxes, sales taxes, harmonized sales taxes, municipal taxes, workers’ compensation, Quebec corporate taxes, pension fund obligations and overdue rents., including without limitation pursuant to the Civil Code of Quebec.

Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

Qualified Cash” means unrestricted cash or Cash Equivalents of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary that is a Credit Party that are subject to the valid, enforceable and first priority perfected security interest of, and subject to the sole and exclusive control of, the Administrative Agent in a Qualified Cash Securities Account, and which cash and Cash Equivalents are not subject to any other Lien, claim or interest (other than (A) Liens permitted hereunder pursuant to clauses (c), (d), (f) or (o) of Section 5.1, (subject, in the case of clause (o), to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), (B) any other Lien having priority by operation of applicable law over the Liens of the Administrative Agent, or (C) customary Liens or rights of setoff of the institution maintaining such accounts permitted.

Qualified Cash Securities Account” means any securities account or deposit account with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender that is subject to a Control Agreement and that is under the sole and exclusive control (subject to Section 4.11(b)) of the Administrative Agent, including without limitation, under which the Administrative Agent is the sole entitlement holder and the only Person authorized to give entitlement orders with respect thereto. “Rate Contracts” means swap agreements (as such term is defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) and any other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates or commodity contracts.

Rate Contracts” means swap agreements (as such term is defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) and any other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates or commodity contracts.

Ratings Requirement” means Axiall having received a corporate family credit rating of at least Ba3 from Moody’s and BB- from S&P; provided, that to the extent that any such ratings change occurs during any calendar quarter, the required adjustment to the Applicable Margin or Applicable Unused Commitment Fee shall take effect on the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of such ratings change.

Real Estate” means any Real Estate owned, leased, subleased or otherwise operated or occupied by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

 

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Related Persons” means, with respect to any Person, each Affiliate of such Person and each director, officer, employee, agent, trustee, representative, attorney, accountant and each insurance, environmental, legal, financial and other advisor (including those retained in connection with the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article II) and other consultants and agents of or to such Person or any of its Affiliates.

Releases” means any release, threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material into or through the environment.

Remedial Action” means all actions required to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize any Release so that a Hazardous Material does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care with respect to any Hazardous Material.

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders owed or holding at least a majority in interest of the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment at such time or, if the Commitments shall not be in effect at such time, the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding at such time; provided, however, that if any Lender shall be a Non-Funding Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time all Loans, Commitments and Letter of Credit Obligations of such Revolving Lender at such time; provided, further, that (a) at any time that there are two or more Lenders, Required Lenders shall include at least two Lenders and (b) each Lender and its Affiliates shall be counted as one Lender. For purposes of this definition, the aggregate principal amount of Swing Loans owing to any Swingline Lender, the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Obligations owing to the L/C Issuers shall be considered to be owed to the Revolving Lenders ratably in accordance with their Commitment Percentages.

Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or common), ordinance, treaty, rule, regulation, order, policy, other legal requirement or determination of an arbitrator or of a 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, with respect to the U.S. Borrowing Base or the Canadian Borrowing Base (a) reserves established by the Co-Collateral Agents from time to time against Eligible Accounts pursuant to Section 1.13 and Eligible Inventory pursuant to Section 1.14, and (b) such other reserves (including on account of Prior Claims) against Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory that the Co-Collateral Agents may, in their Permitted Discretion, establish from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Reserves established to ensure the payment of accrued interest expenses or Indebtedness or in respect of Prior Claims shall be deemed to be an exercise of the Co-Collateral Agent’s Permitted Discretion.

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, corporate secretary, the president, the controller, the chief financial officer. the treasurer or the general counsel of a Borrower or Borrower Representative, as applicable, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility; or, with respect to compliance with financial covenants or delivery of financial information, the chief financial officer, the controller or the treasurer of a Borrower or Borrower Representative, as applicable, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

 

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Restricted Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Axiall that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Lender” means each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment (or if the Revolving Loan Commitments have terminated, who hold Revolving Loans or participations in Swing Loans.)

Revolving Note” means a promissory note of the Borrowers payable to a Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(d) hereto, evidencing Indebtedness of the Borrowers under the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender.

Revolving Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of: (a) January 28, 2018 or with respect to any Incremental Facility, the date agreed to pursuant to Section 1.15 and (b) the date on which the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment shall terminate in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date is not extended (whether through a Permitted Refinancing or an amendment not in violation of the Intercreditor Agreement) at least 120 days prior to the Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date, the Revolving Termination Date shall be 90 days prior to the Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government or (d) a Person resident in or determined to be a resident in a country, in each case, that is subject to a country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

Sanctioned Person” means a person named on the list of “specially designated nationals” maintained by OFAC.

Scheduled Secured Notes Maturity Date” means January 15, 2017, or, to the extent the Secured Notes are refinanced, the maturity date applicable to any such Permitted Refinancing of the Secured Notes.

Secured Note Documents” means the Secured Note Indenture, the Secured Notes and all documents entered into in connection therewith.

Secured Note Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of the Original Closing Date, by and among Axiall, the various Subsidiaries of Axiall party thereto as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, governing the Secured Notes.

Secured Notes” means the 9% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 issued by Axiall and governed by the terms of the Secured Note Indenture in a maximum aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000.

 

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Secured Party” means Administrative Agent, each Lender, each L/C Issuer, each Bank Product Provider, each other Indemnitee and each other holder of any Obligation of a Credit Party including each Secured Swap Provider.

Secured Rate Contract” means any Rate Contract (i) between a Credit Party and a Secured Swap Provider or (ii) which Administrative Agent has acknowledged in writing constitutes a “Secured Rate Contract” hereunder.

Secured Swap Provider” means (i) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (or a Person who was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time of execution and delivery of a Rate Contract) who has entered into a Secured Rate Contract, or (ii) a Person with whom Borrower has entered into a Secured Rate Contract provided or arranged by GE Capital or an Affiliate of GE Capital, and any assignee thereof; provided, that each Lender was offered an opportunity to provide such Secured Rate Contract prior to GE Capital or such Affiliate of GE Capital arranging such Secured Rate Contract.

Software” means (a) all computer programs, including source code and object code versions, (b) all data, databases and compilations of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, and (c) all documentation, training materials and configurations related to any of the foregoing.

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that, as of such date, (a) the value of the assets of such Person (both at fair value and present fair saleable value) is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person, (b) such Person is able to pay all liabilities of such Person as such liabilities mature and (c) such Person does not have unreasonably small capital. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Special Flood Hazard Area” means an area that FEMA’s current flood maps indicate has at least a one percent (1%) chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year.

SPV” means any special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in a writing by any Lender to Administrative Agent.

Stock” means all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting.

Stock Equivalents” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock or any other Stock Equivalent and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Stock or any other Stock Equivalent, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) which is subordinated to the Obligations as to right and time of payment and as to other rights and remedies thereunder, (ii) which does not mature or require

 

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principal payments to be made in cash at any time prior to the date that is three months after the Revolving Termination Date and (iii) with respect to which no amortization payments are required to be paid in cash, and having such other terms as are, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

Subsidiary” of a Person means any corporation, association, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting Stock, is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” of Axiall shall mean a “Restricted Subsidiary” (unless specified as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary”).

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Secured Rate Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement (including any margin) relating to such Secured Rate Contract, (a) for any date on or after the date such Secured Rate Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Secured Rate Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Secured Rate Contracts (which may include the Administrative Agent, a Lender or any of their respective Affiliates). It is understood and acknowledged that Obligations in respect of Secured Rate Contracts owing to or by different, unaffiliated counterparties shall not reduce the Swap Termination Value. It is understood and acknowledged that if the Borrowers shall fail to furnish a statement of the Swap Termination Value of any Noticed Secured Rate Contract pursuant to Section 4.2(o), the Administrative Agent may determine the Swap Termination Value of such Noticed Secured Rate Contract in its sole discretion.

Swingline Lender” means, each in its capacity as Swingline Lender hereunder, GE Capital or, upon the resignation of GE Capital as Administrative Agent hereunder, any Lender (or Affiliate or Approved Fund of any Lender) that agrees, with the approval of Administrative Agent (or, if there is no such successor Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders) and the Borrowers, to act as the Swingline Lender hereunder.

Swingline Note” means a promissory note of the Borrowers payable to the Swingline Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(e) hereto, evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Swingline Lender resulting from the Swing Loans made to the Borrowers by the Swingline Lender.

Target” means any Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in an Acquisition.

Tax Affiliate” means, (a) Axiall its Subsidiaries and (b) any Affiliate of a Borrower with which such Borrower files or is required to file tax returns on a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group basis.

TCI” means Taiwan Chlorine Industries, Ltd., a joint venture between PPG and China Petrochemical Development Corporation.

 

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Term Loans” means any loans issued under the Term Loan Agreement.

Term Loan Agreement Documents” the Term Loan Agreement and all documents entered into in connection therewith.

Threshold Amount” means an amount, at any time, equal to 12.5% of the then existing Revolving Loan Commitments.

Title IV Plan” means a pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, to which any ERISA Affiliate incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

Trade Secrets” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to trade secrets.

Trademark” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.

Treasury Regulation” means the income tax regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated under the Code, as such regulations are amended from time to time.

Type” means, with respect to any Revolving Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan, Canadian Index Rate Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan.

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

United States” and “U.S.” each means the United States of America.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any (a) Subsidiary of Axiall that is designated by the board of directors of Axiall as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of such board of directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary (i) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt, (ii) except as permitted by Section 5.6 hereof is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with Axiall or any Restricted Subsidiary of Axiall unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Axiall or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Axiall, (iii) is a Person with respect to which neither Axiall nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (A) to subscribe for additional Stock or (B) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results and (iv) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of (a) Axiall or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, that so long as such Indebtedness, guarantee or credit support is unsecured or secured by Liens permitted by Section 5.1, clauses (i) and (iii) shall not apply to an Unrestricted Subsidiary whose principal objective is constructing, acquiring, owning, refurbishing, upgrading or operating an Ethylene Cracker Facility. As of the Effective Date, all Unrestricted Subsidiaries are set forth on Schedule 11.1(c).

 

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U.S. Borrowing Base” means, with respect to Axiall and the other U.S. Credit Parties on a consolidated basis, as of any date of determination by Administrative Agent, an amount equal to:

(a) 85% of the book value of Eligible Accounts at such time; plus

(b) the lesser of (i) 70% of the book value of Eligible Inventory valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis, and (ii) 85% of the book value of Eligible Inventory, multiplied by the NOLV Factor; plus

(d) 100% of Qualified Cash; minus

(e) Reserves established by the Co-Collateral Agents at such time in their Permitted Discretion; minus

(f) the Swap Termination Value of all Noticed Secured Rate Contracts to the extent such amount constitutes Obligations of such Credit Party.

Subject to the eligibility criteria set forth in the definitions of “Eligible Accounts”, “Eligible Inventory” and “Qualified Cash”, the assets of the PPG Entities shall not be included in the U.S. Borrowing Base until such time as the PPG Inclusion Requirement has been satisfied. Furthermore, no assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be included in the U.S. Borrowing Base.

The U.S. Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.2 (subject, in all respects, to the ability of the Co-Collateral Agents to impose Reserves at any time in their Permitted Discretion).

U.S. Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement.

U.S. Credit Parties” means the U.S. Borrowers and each U.S. Subsidiary (i) which executes a guaranty of the Obligations and (ii) which grants a Lien on its U.S. Collateral to secure payment of the Obligations.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in Canadian Dollars, the equivalent in Dollars of such amount determined by using the rate of exchange at which Administrative Agent, on the relevant date at or about 12:00 noon (Toronto time), would be prepared to sell, in accordance with Administrative Agent’s customary practice for commercial loans being administered by it.

U.S. Lender Party” means each of Administrative Agent, each Lender, each L/C Issuer, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Subsidiary” means each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary) of Axiall that is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

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U.S. Revolving Guaranty and Security Agreement” means that certain U.S. ABL Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of the Original Closing Date, made by the U.S. Credit Parties in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time, including without limitation, by the PPG Collateral Joinder.

U.S. Swingline Commitment” means $30,000,000.

Utilization” means, as of any day, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of (x) the Revolving Loans outstanding plus (y) the Swing Loans outstanding plus (z) the amount of Letter of Credit Obligations, in each case, on such day by (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment on such day.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary in which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) one hundred percent (100%) of the Stock and Stock Equivalents, at the time as of which any determination is being made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by any Credit Party, or by one or more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.

11.2 Other Interpretive Provisions.

(a) Defined Terms. Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms defined in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meanings of defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein described.

(b) The Agreement. The words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document; and subsection, section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents unless otherwise specified.

(c) Certain Common Terms. The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced. The term “including” is not limiting and means “including without limitation.”

(d) Performance; Time. Whenever any performance obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than a payment obligation) shall be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business Day. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and including.” If any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document refers to any action taken or to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action.

 

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(e) Contracts. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, references to agreements and other contractual instruments, including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, thereto, restatements and substitutions thereof and other modifications and supplements thereto which are in effect from time to time, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document.

(f) Laws. References to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions related thereto or consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

11.3 Accounting Terms and Principles. All accounting determinations required to be made pursuant hereto shall, unless expressly otherwise provided herein, be made in accordance with GAAP. No change in the accounting principles used in the preparation of any financial statement hereafter adopted by the Borrowers shall be given effect for purposes of measuring compliance with any provision of Article V or VI unless the Borrowers, Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders agree to modify such provisions to reflect such changes in GAAP and, unless such provisions are modified, all financial statements, Compliance Certificates and similar documents provided hereunder shall be provided together with a reconciliation between the calculations and amounts set forth therein before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to in Article V and Article VI shall be made, without giving effect to any election under ASC Subtopic 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party at “fair value.” A breach of a financial covenant contained in Article VI shall be deemed to have occurred as of any date of determination by Administrative Agent or as of the last day of any specified measurement period, regardless of when the financial statements reflecting such breach are delivered to Administrative Agent.

11.4 Payments. Administrative Agent may set up standards and procedures to determine or redetermine the equivalent in Dollars of any amount expressed in any currency other than Dollars and otherwise may, but shall not be obligated to, rely on any determination made by any Credit Party or any L/C Issuer. Any such determination or redetermination by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. No determination or redetermination by any Secured Party or any Credit Party and no other currency conversion shall change or release any obligation of any Credit Party or of any Secured Party (other than Administrative Agent and its Related Persons) under any Loan Document, each of which agrees to pay separately for any shortfall remaining after any conversion and payment of the amount as converted. Administrative Agent may round up or down, and may set up appropriate mechanisms to round up or down, any amount hereunder to nearest higher or lower amounts and may determine reasonable de minimis payment thresholds.

11.5 Several Obligations of the Canadian Credit Parties. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the Canadian Borrower nor any Canadian Subsidiary of Axiall shall be responsible for or be deemed to have guaranteed any Obligations of any U.S. Credit Party under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents.

 

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11.6 Joint and Several Liability of the U.S. Borrowers. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, each U.S. Borrower, jointly and severally, in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each U.S. Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other U.S. Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other U.S. Borrower, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each U.S. Borrower without preferences or distinction among them. Each U.S. Borrower shall be liable for all Obligations due to Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders under this Agreement, regardless of which U.S. Borrower actually receives the Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder or the amount of such Loans received or the manner in which the Administrative Agent or any Revolving Lender accounts for such Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations or other extensions of credit on its books and records. The Obligations of each U.S. Borrower with respect to Loans made to one of them, and the Obligations arising as a result of the joint and several liability of one of the U.S. Borrowers hereunder with respect to Loans made to the other U.S. Borrower hereunder, shall be separate and distinct obligations, but all such other Obligations shall be primary obligations of each U.S. Borrower.

(a) If and to the extent that any U.S. Borrower shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other U.S. Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation.

(b) The obligations of each U.S. Borrower under this Section 11.6 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any U.S. Borrower. The joint and several liability of each U.S. Borrower hereunder shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any U.S. Borrower or any of the Revolving Lenders.

(c) The provisions of this Section 11.6 hereof are made for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders and the Agents and their successors and assigns and may be enforced by them from time to time against any U.S. Borrower as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of Administrative Agent or any Revolving Lender first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against the other U.S. Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it against the other U.S. Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Administrative Agent or any Revolving Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any U.S. Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 11.6 hereof will forthwith be reinstated and in effect as though such payment had not been made.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, to the extent the obligations of a U.S. Borrower shall be

 

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adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the obligations of such U.S. Borrower hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount that is permissible under applicable law (whether federal, state or provincial and including, without limitation, the Bankruptcy Code).

(e) With respect to the Obligations arising as a result of the joint and several liability of the U.S. Borrowers hereunder with respect to Loans, Letters of Credit or other extensions of credit made to the other U.S. Borrower hereunder, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each U.S. Borrower waives, until the payment in full in cash of all Obligations, any right to enforce any right of subrogation or any remedy which Administrative Agent or any Revolving Lender now has or may hereafter have against any U.S. Borrower, any endorser or any guarantor of all or any part of the Obligations, and any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to Administrative Agent or any Revolving Lender. Any claim which any U.S. Borrower may have against the other U.S. Borrower with respect to any payments to Administrative Agent or the Revolving Lenders hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and for so long as the same is continuing, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders may proceed directly and at once, without notice (to the extent notice is waivable under applicable law), against (i) with respect to Obligations of each U.S. Borrower, either or both of them or (ii) with respect to Obligations of any U.S. Borrower, to collect and recover the full amount, or any portion of the applicable Obligations, without first proceeding against the other U.S. Borrower or any other Person, or against any security or collateral for the Obligations. Each U.S. Borrower consents and agrees that Administrative Agent and Revolving Lenders shall be under no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any U.S. Borrower or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.

11.7 Pro Forma Calculations.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 11.7; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.7, when calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of determining actual compliance (and not compliance on a pro forma basis) with Section 6.1, the events described in this Section 11.7 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable period shall not be given pro forma effect.

(b) For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, any Permitted Acquisition or Disposition (each a “Subject Transaction”) (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made (i) during the applicable testing period or (ii) subsequent to such testing period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Subject Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Subject Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable testing period. If since the beginning of any applicable testing period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with

 

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or into a Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such testing period shall have made any Subject Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 11.7, then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto in accordance with this Section 11.7.

(c) In the event that any Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as the case may be (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes), (i) during the applicable testing period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable testing period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the last day of the applicable testing period.

(d) Whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Subject Transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments (solely to the extent that such adjustments are (A) made consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and (B) (x) are of the type that would be permitted pursuant to Article XI of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission or (y) are reasonably consistent with the purposes of such Regulation S-X as determined in good faith by Axiall and reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent)) using the historical financial statements of any business so acquired or to be acquired or sold or to be sold and the consolidated financial statements of Axiall and its Subsidiaries which shall be reformulated as if such Subject Transaction, and any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection therewith, had been consummated or incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period (and assuming that such Indebtedness bears interest during any portion of the applicable measurement period prior to the relevant acquisition at the weighted average of the interest rates applicable to outstanding Loans incurred during such period).

11.8 Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver any notices or other documentation to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, on its behalf, to evidence the amendment and restatement of the Prior ABL Credit Agreement as this Agreement. Each of the PPG Entities and Exterior Portfolio, LLC each hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement, consents thereto, agrees to recognize all rights granted thereby to the parties contemplated therein, and will not do any act or perform any obligation which is not in accordance with the agreements set forth therein and (ii) that it is not an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary under the Intercreditor Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

BORROWERS:

AXIALL CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Name:

 

Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Title:

 

Executive Vice President

EAGLE SPINCO INC.

By:

 

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Name:

 

Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Title:

 

Secretary

ROYAL GROUP, INC. GROUPE ROYAL, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Gregory Thompson

 

Name:

 

Gregory Thompson

 

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


GUARANTORS:

 

GEORGIA GULF CHEMICALS & VINYLS, LLC

GEORGIA GULF LAKE CHARLES, LLC

ROYAL MOULDINGS LIMITED

ROYAL WINDOW AND DOOR PROFILES PLANT 13 INC.

ROYAL WINDOW AND DOOR PROFILES PLANT 14 INC.

PLASTIC TRENDS, INC.

ROYAL GROUP SALES (USA) LIMITED

ROME DELAWARE CORP.

ROYAL PLASTICS GROUP (U.S.A.) LIMITED

PHH MONOMERS, L.L.C.

EAGLE NATRIUM LLC

EAGLE PIPELINE, INC.

EAGLE HOLDCO 3 LLC

EAGLE US 2 LLC

EAGLE CONTROLLED 2 OHIO SPINCO, INC.

EAGLE CONTROLLED 1 CANADIAN SPINCO, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Name:

 

Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Title:

 

Secretary

EXTERIOR PORTFOLIO, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Name:

 

Timothy Mann, Jr.

 

Title:

 

Vice President

ROME ACQUISITION HOLDING CORP.

By:

 

/s/ Bradley Reynolds

 

Name:

 

Bradley Reynolds

 

Title:

 

Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


ALAIN CÔTÉ, acting solely in his capacity as trustee of

THE ROYBRIDGE FINANCING TRUST /

LA FIDUCIE DE FINANCEMENT ROYBRIDGE

By:

 

/s/ Alan Côté

 

Name:

 

Alain Côté

 

Title:

 

Sole Trustee

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,

as Administrative Agent and as Lender

By:

 

/s/ Philip F. Carfora

 

Name:

 

Philip F. Carfora

 

Title:

 

Duly Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, as Lender

By:

 

/s/ Reza Sabahi

 

Name:

 

Reza Sabahi

 

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Lender

By:

 

/s/ Peter S. Predun

 

Name:

 

Peter S. Predun

 

Title:

 

Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Lender

By:

 

/s/ Vanessa A. Kurbatskiy

 

Name:

 

Vanessa A. Kurbatskiy

 

Title:

 

Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Lender

By:

 

/s/ Scott Umbs

 

Name:

 

Scott Umbs

 

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]

EX-10.4 9 d475663dex104.htm EX-10.4 EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE GEORGIA GULF CORPORATION

2011 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

This First Amendment to the Georgia Gulf Corporation 2011 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (this “Plan Amendment”) is made as of January 28, 2012 by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Georgia Gulf Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). This Plan Amendment will be effective for all awards granted under the Georgia Gulf 2011 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) only after the effective date of this Plan Amendment as described herein.

WHEREAS, on March 25, 2011, the Board approved and adopted, subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, the Plan;

WHEREAS, on May 17, 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved the Plan;

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into the Merger Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2012 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, PPG Industries, Inc., Eagle Spinco Inc. and Grizzly Acquisition Sub, Inc.;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Company to amend the Plan, subject to the approval by the Company’ stockholders and effective as of the date the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated, to: (1) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or transferred under the Plan; (2) permit the grant of awards in substitution for or conversion of stock or stock-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any subsidiary, with the shares of Common Stock delivered under the substituted or converted award not counting against the share limit or other limits on the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan; and (3) limit the aggregate amount of stock or stock-based awards which a non-employee director may be granted under the Plan during any calendar year to a value as of their respective Dates of Grant of $300,000.

WHEREAS, the Board may amend the Plan, subject to the approval by the Company’s stockholders and conditioned upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, under Section 19(a) of the Plan to make the changes described above.

NOW, THEREFORE, subject to the approval by the Company’ stockholders and effective as of the date the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated, the Board hereby amends the Plan as follows:

1. Amendment to Section 3(a)(i) of the Plan. Section 3(a)(i) of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(i) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of this Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or transferred (A) upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, (B) as Restricted Stock and released from substantial risks of forfeiture thereof, (C) in payment of Restricted Stock Units, (D) in payment of Performance


Shares or Performance Units that have been earned, (E) as awards to non-employee Directors, (F) as awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan, or (G) in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the Plan will not exceed in the aggregate 3,600,000 shares of Common Stock. Such shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing.”

2. Section 3(c)(iv) of the Plan. Section 3(c)(iv) of the Plan is hereby added as follows:

“(iv) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3(c) to the contrary, during any calendar year, no non-employee Director will be granted stock or stock-based awards under this Plan that, in the aggregate, have a value as of their respective Dates of Grant in excess of $300,000.”

3. Section 9 of the Plan. Section 9 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Subject to the limits set forth in Section 3(c) and Section 3(d) of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to non-employee Directors of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights or other awards contemplated by Section 10 of this Plan and may also authorize the grant or sale of shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to non-employee Directors. Each grant of an award to a non-employee Director will be upon such terms and conditions as approved by the Committee, and will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award in such form as will be approved by the Committee. Each grant will specify in the case of an Option Right an Option Price per share, and in the case of a Free-Standing Appreciation Right, a Base Price per share, which will not be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant. Each Option Right and Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under the Plan to a non-employee Director will expire not more than 10 years from the Date of Grant and will be subject to earlier termination as hereinafter provided. If a non-employee Director subsequently becomes an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary while remaining a member of the Board, any award held under this Plan by such individual at the time of such commencement of employment will not be affected thereby. Non-employee Directors, pursuant to this Section 9, may be awarded, or may be permitted to elect to receive, pursuant to procedures established by the Board, all or any portion of their annual retainer, meeting fees or other fees in shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other awards under the Plan in lieu of cash.”

 

2


4. Amendment to Section 22(j) of the Plan. Section 22(j) of the Plan is hereby added as follows:

“(j) Awards may be granted under this Plan in substitution for or conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, option rights, appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock or stock-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary. Any conversion, substitution or assumption will be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition. The awards so granted may reflect the original terms of the awards being assumed or substituted or converted for and need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, and may account for Common Stock substituted for the securities covered by the original awards and the number of shares subject to the original awards, as well as any exercise or purchase prices applicable to the original awards, adjusted to account for differences in stock prices in connection with the transaction. Any shares of Common Stock that are issued or transferred, and any awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company, under this Section 22(j) will not reduce the Common Stock available for issuance or transfer under the Plan or otherwise count against the limits contained in Section 3 of the Plan.”

5. Miscellaneous.

(a) Except as amended by this Plan Amendment, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

(b) Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Plan Amendment have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.

 

3

EX-99.1 10 d475663dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO   

Axiall Corporation Adds Three Directors to Board

ATLANTA – January 28, 2013 – Axiall Corporation (NYSE: AXLL) today announced the addition of three members to its Board of Directors, effective immediately: Dr. Victoria Haynes, Michael McGarry and Robert Ripp. With the additional members, Axiall’s board comprises 11 directors.

“I am pleased to welcome three new directors who have deep business experience and a solid understanding of the commodity chemicals industry,” said Chairman Mark Noetzel. “We look forward to their contributions in helping to ensure the newly launched Axiall Corporation provides long-term shareholder value.”

Haynes has been a director of PPG Industries since 2003. She also is a director of Nucor Corporation and is a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal DSM, a global life sciences and material sciences company. Haynes served as president and chief executive officer of RTI International, which performs scientific research and development in advanced technologies, public policy, environmental protection, and health and medicine, from 1999 until retiring in 2012.

Ripp has been a director of PPG Industries since 2003. He also is a director of ACE Limited, and has served as director and chairman of Lightpath Technologies, a manufacturer of optical lens and module assemblies for the telecom sector, since 1999. Earlier, Ripp was chairman and chief executive officer of AMP Incorporated, a publicly traded, international company.

McGarry became executive vice president of PPG Industries Inc. in 2012. In this role, he assumed leadership responsibility for PPG’s Asia Pacific region, its global aerospace products and automotive refinish businesses, and its commodity chemical business, which merged with Georgia Gulf to become Axiall. McGarry’s responsibilities also include corporate oversight for all PPG environmental, health and safety activities and the global information technology function. Earlier, he was senior vice president of PPG’s commodity chemical business.

About Axiall

Axiall Corporation is a leading integrated chemicals and building products company. It is an international manufacturer of chlor-alkali and derivatives, chlorovinyls and aromatics products including chlorine, caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer, chlorinated solvents, calcium hypochlorite, ethylene dichloride, muriatic acid, phosgene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl compounds, acetone, cumene and phenol. It also manufactures vinyl-based building and home


improvement products that are marketed under the Royal Building Products and Exterior Portfolio brands, including window and door profiles, siding, mouldings, pipe and pipe fittings, and decking. Axiall, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has manufacturing facilities located throughout North America and in Asia to provide industry-leading materials and services to customers. For more information, visit www.axiall.com.

Cautionary Statements About Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future. Any such statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words or phrases such as “is expected,” may,” “will,” or “intend,” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected contributions of the new directors. These statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Axiall. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause Axiall’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this press release. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to (i) a material adverse change, event or occurrence affecting Axiall or the newly acquired commodity chemicals business, (ii) the ability of Axiall to successfully integrate the businesses of PPG’s commodity chemicals business and Axiall, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected, (iii) the possibility that the merger and related transactions may involve other unexpected costs, liabilities or delays, and (iv) uncertainties regarding future prices, industry capacity levels and demand for Axiall’s products, raw materials and energy costs and availability, feedstock availability and prices, changes in governmental and environmental regulations, the adoption of new laws or regulations that may make it more difficult or expensive to operate Axiall’s businesses or manufacture its products after the merger, Axiall’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows from its business after the merger, future economic conditions in the specific industries to which its products are sold, and global economic conditions.

In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have a material adverse effect on Axiall’s actual future results, performance, or achievements. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Axiall and its business, see Axiall’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and subsequent filings with the SEC. As a result of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Axiall does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events, or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.


Source: Axiall Corporation

Axiall Corporation Investor Relations

Martin Jarosick, 770-395-4524

or

Media

Alan Chapple, 770-395-4538

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